For a second year in a row, seventy teams have signed up to take part in Relay for Life Donegal.
But what makes them do it? In 2012, Relay for Life Donegal was something new, something special, something that touched the hearts of so many people in Donegal.
In 2013, there are new teams, teams returning from 2012 and a vibrancy and enthusiasm that some thought could not be repeated. So why do they relay – why do they want to walk around a track for 24 hours – why do they want to raise funds for the Irish Cancer Society? So let’s ask them…..
There are teams from families, businesses, local communities, schools, churches and groups of friends and many of them were so honest and willing to put into words the reasons why they Relay for Life.
Some people have left these quotes as to why they are taking part.
“You sometimes feel so helpless when someone is going through their treatment with cancer and being there sometimes feels like it isn’t enough.”
“I have come together with family and friends who helped me through my battle, to take part in this event, raising awareness of this illness through our fundraising with the same hope as everyone else – finding a cure’
“My reason this year for getting involved again was mainly due to the amazing couple of days we all experienced the year before. It brought our extended family together in remembrance of our Dad”
“I went to support my daughter who was doing the relay through her school last year and watched the candles being lit with some of my friends names on them”
“Two family members were at the opening of Relay last year and said that night that we would enter a team in 2013 and our mum who finished her breast cancer treatment in December 2012 is taking part in the survivors lap this year”
“Our family has been affected too many times by cancer so we will Celebrate with those who are still with us and Remember those who are no longer here”
“The motivation for entering a team was to try to do something positive and to do try to do something that would help team morale in what is generally a very stress filled environmen”
“Another reason for taking part is that I want to let everyone who is fighting against cancer know that the are not alone – you have to keep fighting to the very end, do everything you possibly can and NEVER give up hope’
Just reading the responses and trying to convey their thoughts and feelings has made me think why I Relay for Life – all the teams are doing this for the same reason as me – I want to do something in memory of those I have loved and lost but most of all, I want to do something that will help my family’s children, something practical that will help to find a cure for this awful disease that has affected us all.
If you would like to see what our teams are doing to fundraise or as team building events, please go to our Facebook page or www.relayforlifedonegal.com for a flavour of all their wonderful ideas and upcoming events.
Why don’t you get involved this year?
relayforlifedonegal@gmail.com
Celebrate, Remember, Fight Back.