Monash Memo - articles - 14 November 2001

[contents] [next article]

Relay for Life walks the talk for cancer

Twenty-eight teams from the local Mornington Peninsula region will spend 24 hours walking or running around an athletics track in Frankston this weekend to raise money for cancer research.

Relay for Life - Frankston is a community event being coordinated by Monash's Peninsula campus and MONSU on behalf of the Anti-Cancer Council.

This is the second year the campus has coordinated the event, which raised $64,000 last year.

Of the 28 teams registered, nine are from the university, including two from MONSU, one from Berwick and six from the Peninsula campus.

Peninsula campus director Mr John White said Relay for Life was a great way of building community spirit, both within the campus and throughout the region.

"Relay for Life provides an opportunity for the campus to engage with the local community while actually supporting a cause that touches so many people," he said.

"The organising committee, which consists of representatives from the campus and MONSU, has put in an amazing effort to run this event, which will see hundreds of people become involved at the Ballam Park Athletics Track from 12 noon on Saturday to 12 noon on Sunday."

A variety of entertainment, including bands, children's activities and an outdoor movie, is planned for the weekend, and the general public is invited to attend at any time during the 24 hours.

Event patron Ms Debbie Flintoff-King will officially launch the weekend event, cutting the ribbon that signals the commencement of the carers' and survivors' walk, in which cancer survivors wearing red sashes and carers wearing green sashes walk the first lap to start the relay.

A candlelight service will also be held at dusk on Saturday 17 November, which is open to everyone who wishes to remember loved ones who have lost their battle with cancer as well as to those battling cancer.

For further information about Relay for Life, contact Ms Julie Ryan on extn 44015.