By Kelly Yates
Right: Dozens of local teams passed the baton during the 24-hour event at Akoonah Park. 44026
DOZENS of teams passed the baton and walked around the oval at Akoonah Park for the Cancer Council’s Relay for Life.
The 24-hour event, which kicked off last Friday night in Berwick, was an opportunity for the community to come together and celebrate cancer survivors and remember loved ones lost to cancer.
Casey councillor Shar Balmes, who took part in last weekend’s the Relay for Life with the Casey Walkie Talkies team, said she initially got involved because it sounded like something fun to do with her girlfriend for a good cause.
“Cancer has very much touched my life,” she said.
“My father passed away from cancer when I was 16, my father-in-law died from cancer two years ago and my best friend died from breast cancer at the age of 32.”
Cr Balmes said she had also had a cancer scare a couple of years ago.
“It’s very personal for me. Taking part is uplifting,” she said.
The Casey Walkie Talkies was originally started up by former Casey mayor Janet Halsall.
The current mayor Lorraine Wreford, River Gum Ward councillor Wayne Smith and several other council staff and officers joined Cr Balmes for the event.
So far, the Casey Walkie Talkies have raised around $15,000.
The Cancer Council is not government funded and needs community support to help reduce the impact cancer has on communities. Every five minutes, an Australian is diagnosed with cancer.
All of the money raised at Relay for Life helps the Cancer Council to investigate new ways to prevent, detect and treat cancers, educate people in the community about ways they can reduce their cancer risk, advocate for cancer control and support people during their times of greatest need.
