Anil Sookraj
Event Chairperson

The eighth annual CANSA Relay for Life-Estcourt is scheduled to take place on September 3 and 4, 2016. It is a volunteer driven community event that raises awareness about cancer and raises funds for the Cancer Association of South Africa (Cansa). At Relay For Life events, communities across the globe come together to celebrate cancer survivors, remember loved ones lost and fight back against a disease that has already taken too much.

The funds raised truly make a difference in the fight against cancer; so more people can celebrate more birthdays. Relay For Life teams camp out overnight and take turns walking or running around a track at Forderville Primary School.

Our event this year is 24-hours long starting on Saturday at 10am and finishing on Sunday at 10am. Each team is asked to have at least one participant on the track at all times, because cancer never sleeps.

Cancer affects us all- one in four South Africans will be affected by cancer in their lifetime, either by a family member, friend, colleague or themselves. CANSA Relay for Life is a celebration of hope and survivorship. When we walk together, we are bigger than cancer.

This event has put Estcourt on the national and international map. It promotes nation building, social cohesion and race relations. Every human being will be touched by cancer one day. As Event Chair of the Relay, I am preparing myself to hear that I or a family member has cancer, I am also preparing millions to know that cancer can be beaten through early detection, prayer, medication and HOPE.

Relayers are requested to make a note of the following information:

1. Youth teams must have an adult sponsor who will be with the team for 24-hours.
2. No ‘walk-in’ supporters will be allowed to enter after 9pm on Saturday, September 3.
3. Under 18 youth will not be allowed to stay over at the Relay without adult supervision.
4. The Relay is a smoke and alcohol free event.
5. We do not have space for additional teams.
6. Relay programme and other information will be published in the Estcourt News next week.