It might be nine months away, but plans are already in full swing for the 2018 Cessnock Relay For Life.
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Relay For Life is entering its second decade in Cessnock, and is close to reaching the $1 million mark in funds raised for Cancer Council.
This year’s organising committee will be co-chaired by Cessnock women Stephanie Ekert and Marlie Caban, who are excited about how this year’s event is shaping up.
Both women were inspired to take part in Relay For Life after losing close family members to cancer – Ms Ekert’s aunty Di Wilson passed away in 2015, and Ms Caban lost her sister-in-law Angella Whipps to the disease in 2016.
Ms Ekert entered a team with her son Bailey and his school mates in 2015; joined the committee the following year, helping run the kids’ activities before moving into the chair for the 2017 event.
Ms Caban first took part in Relay For Life in 2016; was the committee’s team recruitment coordinator in 2017 and will now help Ms Ekert as co-chair.
Ms Ekert said she’ll be grateful to share the leadership dutiess.
“It’s a huge role,” she said.
“I’m excited for this year; I’ve got a really good feeling about it.”
The pair are proud of what Relay For Life has achieved in Cessnock, such as the free transport-to-treatment service for local cancer patients.
“Seeing the results that we have been able to achieve makes it worthwhile,” Ms Caban said.
The co-chairs look forward to promoting the Relay and trying to recruit more teams from across the whole Cessnock local government area.
The committee currently comprises 15 people and welcomes more volunteers.
Cancer Council community relations coordinator Clint Ekert said it was great to see the Cessnock committee’s energy and enthusiasm for the this year’s Relay for Life.
"The event is vital in providing our free patient transport service, and is enhancing the lives of those on their cancer journeys,” he said.
"I often get stories from patients about how valuable the service is, not just for the transport, but also being able to talk to somone else on the drive down.
"Our Relay for Life is growing from strength to strength, and the driving factor is the support from the Cessnock community.
"Marlie and Steph have already proven to be a successful team, and I am really excited to see the results of 12 months planning for our event in October."
The 2018 Cessnock Relay For Life will be held at Baddeley Park on Saturday, October 20 from 10am to 10pm.
A team information session will be held at Wine Country Motor Inn (next to Cessnock Leagues Club) on Monday, March 12 at 6pm.
To register your team, visit relayforlife.org.au/cessnock.
