Wānaka Relay For Life – Call to action

Relay For Life - Te Ara Toiora - is a Cancer Society community fundraising event filled with energy and emotion. After the covid interruptions of the past few years the event will be reignited next year on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 March at Wānaka’s Pembroke Park.

Relay For Life is an opportunity to whakanuia/celebrate local cancer survivors and their whānau, no matter where they are in their cancer journey from diagnosis through to post-treatment. It is also an opportunity to maumaharatia/remember loved ones lost to cancer and to fight tū atu/back by raising awareness and funds for the Cancer Society. Carers, those who support survivors from small kind gestures to great biggest sacrifices are also celebrated in the Relay for Life event.

For over 90 years the Cancer Society as a non-government organisation has been supporting New Zealanders to reducing the incidence and impact of cancer in Aotearoa; every person and every cancer. Their focus is to provide support services, health promotion, health information and advocacy for all kinds of issues including screening, detection, and treatment.

The Cancer Society’s presence in Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes area covers from Ranfurly to Queenstown and Wānaka to Kingston and the surrounding areas. They have offices based in Alexandra, Queenstown and Wānaka. The Society helps people at a local level by providing them care, support, comfort and hope in their cancer journey. Activities may include facilitated support for cancer patients and whānau, transport to treatment, and accommodation when undergoing treatment far from home, all delivered with the dedication of local volunteers.

As an independent charity the Cancer Society relies on donations, bequests and fund-raising events, such as the Relay For Life to finance the important services that makes such a difference to people with cancer. Relay For Life simply couldn’t run without the help of many wonderful volunteers.

The Cancer Society is looking for hard working, dedicated locals to join the organising committee in the early New Year to lead the March 2023 event. The organisational teams work will light up the event and support the Cancer Society achieve a fundraising goal that enables vital local support.

They are also looking for volunteers to help at the during event itself.

Everyone and anyone can get involved. Join the Relay For Life to do something remarkable!

For more information, please go to their website https://www.cancer.org.nz/get-involved/volunteer/
Nō reira, he waka eke noa/ we are in this together. Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā tātou katoa/ acknowledging all.