“Balls Out” takes strides against Cancer at Kumeu Showground

“Balls Out” takes strides against Cancer at Kumeu Showgrounds

“Relay For Life is a chance to Remember and Celebrate being alive,” says Matiu Leonard about his participation this weekend at the Cancer Society Auckland event.

“We recently lost a couple of firefighters from the Auckland region to cancer, and Relay is a good chance to come together and acknowledge their families and their lives. Cancer affects so many, and I wanted to show my support for the Cancer Society and their role in the community so I got a team and got involved”.

Having recently undergone his own cancer journey battling testicular cancer, Matt entered a team at Relay for Life called “Balls Out”. He has also gone on to be runner up in the 2009 Cleo Bachelor of the Year. “Cancer gave me courage to step outside the norm and push myself and achieve things I often put on the backburner. Dreams of becoming a firefighter, fighting in a boxing event and also returning to play senior rugby were all goals. Life is too short to sit back and wait, go get it. Always remember the most important thing in life is people”.

This Sat thousands of people will be taking strides against cancer at an annual Relay For Life event being held at the Kumeu Showgrounds. Relay celebrates with a ‘Survivor Lap’ and also remembers loved ones lost at a beautiful Candle Light Ceremony.

“I want to invite people to come along and experience Relay, for the candle-light ceremony, the survivor lap or to see the live entertainment– everyone is welcome. There will also be lots of family fun and live music, including covers bands, Brass Bands and Brazilian Dancers.

The event starts at 4pm this Saturday and will go through until 10am on Sunday

“Cancer touches 1 in 3 New Zealanders so unfortunately most of us know someone who has been affected. Whether it is a close friend, whanau or a colleague, Relay is a time to acknowledge those who have been through cancer”.

Relay For Life is made up of teams of work colleagues, school groups, family and friends who take strides to raise funds in support of those with cancer. The event includes music, camping-out, a candlelit ceremony, food, family fun and the on-going relay.

In 2010 over 210 teams took strides against cancer and raised over half a million dollars to help the Cancer Society continue their work in local communities. Work such as cancer liaison nurses, counsellors and the 0800 information help line as well as cancer research. Find out more at www.relayforlife.org.nz

Relay For Life 2012 will be held on 24th & 25th March 2012 Kumeu Stadium

About the Cancer Society Auckland:

The Cancer Society is the leading non-government organisation dedicated to reducing the incidence of cancer and ensuring the best cancer care for everyone. The Cancer Society Auckland is the largest regional division of the Cancer Society in New Zealand, serving more than one third of the New Zealand population from Domain Lodge in Auckland and Daffodil House in Whangarei.

ENDS

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