'Cancer does not sleep': International community set for 24-hour Relay for Life

A 24-hour non-stop relay organised by the international community of Belgium this weekend aims to raise tens of thousands of euros for cancer research, prevention and treatment.

Relay for Life was brought to Belgium from the US in 2011. There were three Relays in Belgium that year - one of which was the International Community of Belgium event - while this year there will be 26 across the country.

"Cancer does not sleep - and as a symbolic gesture we do not either," says Cindy Menache, a cancer survivor and Relay for Life volunteer who is helping organising the Relay at St John's International School in Waterloo - which last year raised €103,000. "The VIPs at the Relay are the survivors. We provide doctors' workshops, massages, meals and goodie bags, so that we can make the experience for the survivors extra special."

In 1985, an American oncologist Dr Gordy Klatt realised that something needed to be done in the fight against cancer - and so to raise awareness he walked for 24 hours. Out of this one event grew a worldwide organisation called Relay for Life which raises millions each year.

According to the Belgian Cancer Registry, about one in three men and one in four women are affected by cancer before they reach the age of 75. Sarah Stemgee from the Belgian Foundation Against Cancer says: "More than 50% of the money is invested in research to find better cures and better medicine. The rates of survivorship is higher due to the investment in research - and people are living longer thanks to the new treatments." The remaining 50% is used to provide support and services to cancer patients and to their Cancer Prevention Campaign.

Fun event

A Relay for Life event is not just a relay around a track as the name would suggest - it is a full 24 hours of fun and entertainment for family, friends and colleagues. All participating teams are allocated a stall space and while at least one team member takes it in turn to run or walk around the relay track, their team mates and supporters can make and sell food, drink and crafts from their stall to help boost their fundraising. The money raised by the Relay teams, before and during the event is added to the money raised by corporate sponsorship.

Many teams serve barbecue food which can be washed down with beer, wine or water. At the same time there is musical entertainment and dance exhibitions to lift the spirits of the participants and the visitors. Young children are also entertained with activities. And at sunset, candlelit lantern bags are placed around the relay track while a few moments of silence are observed to remember those who have passed from cancer.

Relay for Life International Community of Belgium 2016
Saturday 18 June 14.00 until 19 June 14.00
St John's International School, Waterloo