Clare Breast cancer survivor Maria Gallagher, 55, is calling on people across Clare to come along to Relay For Life Clare at Tim Smythe Park (Fairgreen), Lifford, Ennis, Co. Clare this Saturday, 13th June, from 1pm.
Relay For Life brings the local community together to celebrate cancer survivors and remember those who have been lost to cancer. The 24-hour event is in aid of the Irish Cancer Society.
Participants team up and take it in turns to walk through the day and night, with someone always on the move during the 24-hour period.
A key feature of every Relay For Life is the survivors’ lap, where cancer survivors who have lived or are living with cancer are invited to open the event with a special celebratory lap of their local Relay track.
A moving Candle of Hope ceremony is one of the main highlights of Relay For Life.
Thousands of candle bags that have been personalised with messages of hope and remembrance are lit in celebration of cancer survivorship and to honour loved ones lost to cancer.
The uplifting Relay For Life event also features entertainment and fun for all the family.
The funds raised at Relay For Life are essential to enable the Irish Cancer Society to provide free, vital support services to people affected by cancer across Ireland and to fund ground-breaking cancer research.
Ennistymon woman Maria Gallagher, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020 after she found a lump and was successfully treated through surgery and radiotherapy, has been involved in Relay For Life Clare for the past four years.
Breast cancer survivor Maria Gallagher said: “I first got involved in Relay For Life Clare four years ago, as my sister-in-law registered me as part of a team, and I’ve gone back every year since.
“It’s a great way to shine a light on the work of the Irish Cancer Society, and Relay For Life celebrates those that have survived or are living with cancer, and remembers those that have passed away – it’s such a special event.”
Commenting on her favourite aspects of Relay For Life, namely the survivors’ lap and the Candle of Hope ceremony, Maria said: “The survivors’ lap is very meaningful, because there are so many people now who are living well with cancer or, like me, have been successfully treated for cancer, and that’s worth celebrating.
“And the Candle of Hope ceremony is very touching, it’s a lovely way to remember the people we’ve lost to cancer and to come together as a community.”
Encouraging people right across Clare to take part in their local Relay For Life, Maria said: “We are all affected by cancer, either personally or through people we know.
“At Relay For Life, you can walk a lap of the Relay track, contribute by buying a candle bag or just be there for the 24 hours – if everyone does a little, an awful lot can be achieved to support those affected by cancer.
“The money raised goes to the Irish Cancer Society’s services, which supports people affected by cancer and their families, and it also helps to fund groundbreaking cancer research. It makes such a big difference to so many people.
“1 in 2 of us will be diagnosed with cancer in our lifetime, so it’s so important to get behind fundraisers like Relay For Life so these vital services can continue to be there when we need them.
“I’d encourage everyone to get involved in Relay For Life Clare. It’s a deeply meaningful event for both cancer survivors and people who have lost loved ones to cancer, all for an amazing cause that truly makes a difference.”
Ciara Hughes, Relay For Life Campaign Manager at the Irish Cancer Society, said: “People across the country have always enthusiastically supported Relay For Life, and in doing so they generously support the vital services provided by the Irish Cancer Society to ensure that no one in Ireland has to face cancer alone.
“We’re delighted that Relay for Life has returned to Clare this year, giving people in the area the opportunity to remember their loved ones and celebrate survivors within their community.”
To register a team for a Relay For Life Clare, or to buy a candle bag to be displayed as part of the Candle of Hope ceremony, click here.