There are 120,000 cancer survivors in the Republic with thousands more affected by loss. Ireland's first Relay for Life will be held this Saturday to celebrate those who made it and to remember those who did not. In teams of eight to 15, friends, neighbours, families and colleagues will keep company with each sponsored participant as they walk around a relay course in Dublin's docklands. The proceeds will go to the Irish Cancer Society's home-care teams.
The half-mile relay course will begin on George's Quay, in front of the Custom House Quay (CHQ) building, and proceed along Custom House Quay to Talbot Memorial Bridge. From there it will cross to the southside along City Quay, crossing back to the northside by the Sean O'Casey Bridge.
The evening will be launched by filmmaker and cancer survivor Peter Sheridan.
Public events begin at 6pm with a survivors' lap of honour. After sunset, in a "Candle of Hope" ceremony, each person will light and dedicate a candle to someone they know affected by cancer. The glow from these special outdoor candles will illuminate the course for the rest of the night as each team takes its turn. The relay ends at 6am.
More than 2,000 people had signed up for the event by last week. Relay for Life is the brainchild of the North Wall Women's Centre in Sherriff Street, whose chairwoman is Cathleen O'Neill.
"We celebrate 21 years of community development this year, so we are hosting this event to give back to the community and in recognition of friends and loved ones affected by cancer. Our target was €50,000 but we will certainly exceed that," she said.
There will be outdoor music, entertainment, soup and drinks throughout the evening. Indoors, the CHQ will be available for child and youth workshops, therapeutic massage, quiet spaces and opportunities for cancer survivors to meet.
For further information, contact the Irish Cancer Society on CallSave 1850 60 60 60 or e-mail fundraising@irishcancer.ie