Why do we take part in the Relay for Life?
My son Matthew was diagnosed with Cancer at the tender age of 3 years. When I was told by the doctors at Southampton Hospital, I was completely devastated. In my mind, Cancer was something that happened to other people, not my 3 year old son. The diagnosis and treatment he received was first class and he is now in remission 5 years on. Being on the receiving end of this treatment and seeing first hand the fantastic work that the Doctors, Nurses and Researchers do on a daily basis, we decided to give something back. We found out that Cancer Research UK is the largest independent Cancer research organisation in the world and it relies on fundraisers, donations and legacies to fund the majority of its work. We found out about an event called ‘Relay for Life’ and decided that we would use this as a focus for fundraising. Throughout the year we raise money and then celebrate our efforts at the Relay. The event is quite emotional for some of us, as it’s a time to remember those who have not survived their fight with Cancer, but also a time to celebrate with those who have won their fight with Cancer. We have 4 survivors linked to our team who have fought Cancer in the last few years, and we are thankful for the fantastic work that Cancer Research UK has done for us. Matthew is our inspiration for fundraising, he has been so strong throughout his ordeal, and the weekend of the Relay is all about him. Matthew believes the whole weekend is all about him. He thinks that over 300 people have joined together for the weekend because ‘it’s all about him’. He loves that fact he is chosen to cut the survivors cake during the survivors buffet and that everyone knows him and wants to chat with him. He feels like a superstar, just for the weekend. He takes pride in completing the survivors lap at the start of the weekend and collecting the medals at the end of the weekend. As he grows older, he will realise its all about him as well as other people affected by Cancer. The reason we walk for 24 hours is to demonstrate the fact that Cancer never sleeps, this is true in Matthews’s life as his Mother and Grandmother have both had Cancer in the last few years. We keep on fundraising so we can keep on fighting Cancer. Each year we take part we have around 12-15 team members. Not the same people every year, which is nice as new people in the team keeps it fresh and exciting.
We are ‘Matthews Mates’.
My son Matthew was diagnosed with Cancer at the tender age of 3 years. When I was told by the doctors at Southampton Hospital, I was completely devastated. In my mind, Cancer was something that happened to other people, not my 3 year old son. The diagnosis and treatment he received was first class and he is now in remission 5 years on. Being on the receiving end of this treatment and seeing first hand the fantastic work that the Doctors, Nurses and Researchers do on a daily basis, we decided to give something back. We found out that Cancer Research UK is the largest independent Cancer research organisation in the world and it relies on fundraisers, donations and legacies to fund the majority of its work. We found out about an event called ‘Relay for Life’ and decided that we would use this as a focus for fundraising. Throughout the year we raise money and then celebrate our efforts at the Relay. The event is quite emotional for some of us, as it’s a time to remember those who have not survived their fight with Cancer, but also a time to celebrate with those who have won their fight with Cancer. We have 4 survivors linked to our team who have fought Cancer in the last few years, and we are thankful for the fantastic work that Cancer Research UK has done for us. Matthew is our inspiration for fundraising, he has been so strong throughout his ordeal, and the weekend of the Relay is all about him. Matthew believes the whole weekend is all about him. He thinks that over 300 people have joined together for the weekend because ‘it’s all about him’. He loves that fact he is chosen to cut the survivors cake during the survivors buffet and that everyone knows him and wants to chat with him. He feels like a superstar, just for the weekend. He takes pride in completing the survivors lap at the start of the weekend and collecting the medals at the end of the weekend. As he grows older, he will realise its all about him as well as other people affected by Cancer. The reason we walk for 24 hours is to demonstrate the fact that Cancer never sleeps, this is true in Matthews’s life as his Mother and Grandmother have both had Cancer in the last few years. We keep on fundraising so we can keep on fighting Cancer. Each year we take part we have around 12-15 team members. Not the same people every year, which is nice as new people in the team keeps it fresh and exciting.
We are ‘Matthews Mates’.
