A Kirkinner mother-of-three and Nana-of-eight who has survived breast cancer is urging people to join Cancer Research UK’s Relay For Life in Dumfries & Galloway.
Kim Crosbie, 52 is encouraging families, friends and work colleagues to join together as a team and fundraise for life-saving cancer research, then take part in an exciting, overnight event held at Bladnoch Park on Saturday 1 July.
Cancer Research UK’s Relay For Life is a unique team fundraising challenge, bringing communities together as well as friends and family to beat cancer.
Relay For Life teams raise as much money as possible in the lead up to the overnight community event, through a wide range of activities from coffee mornings to quizzes, supermarket bag-packs to summer parties, and donations from family, friends and work colleagues.
She also hopes that other cancer survivors, and people currently undergoing treatment, will join her on the day and take part in the inspirational ‘Lap of Honour’ which marks the start of the Relay event.
Kim was diagnosed in January 2013. She had to have surgery, eight rounds of chemotherapy and five weeks of radiotherapy in Edinburgh. During this time her Dad was also diagnosed with bowel cancer – a double whammy for the family. As hard as it was they both stayed positive with love and support from family and friends.
Kim said: “I am thrilled to be part of Cancer Research UK’s Relay For Life in Dumfries & Galloway and I feel honoured to be taking part in the ‘Lap of Honour’ with fellow cancer survivors, including my Dad, and celebrating our achievements -together we are stronger.
“Cancer affects so many people every year. Relay For Life is a great way to make a stand against the disease by raising money to fund Cancer Research UK’s life-saving research.”
During the Relay, team members take turns to walk round a track while everyone else enjoys the carnival atmosphere. As the event continues non-stop through the night, team members not on the track rest, eat, or sleep in their tents, which are set up close by.
As dusk falls, the atmosphere quietens as the Candle of Hope ceremony begins. The event is the most poignant part of Relay For Life when specially made Candle of Hope bags decorated with touching messages – in memory or in celebration of loved ones – are filled with sand and lit up with candles around the track.
Survivors and Caregivers can register in advance or just come along on the day and are invited to lead the opening lap at 11am before being offered refreshments in the Survivor’s Tent as our VIP’s. The event is open to the whole community to join in on the day and help raise further funds for Cancer Research UK’s work to beat over 200 types of cancer.
The money raised by Relay For Life helps to fund Cancer Research UK’s pioneering research to bring forward the day when all cancers are cured.
Anne Barclay volunteer Chairman of Relay For Life in Dumfries and Galloway, said: “We are delighted to have someone as positive as Kim to lead the lap of honour. She is an inspiration to everyone who meets her.
“During Relay For Life we celebrate life and pay tribute to those who have survived cancer but we also remember and pay tribute to those who have lost their lives to the disease.
“We would love to hear from anyone who wants to find out more about Relay For Life and how they can get involved. This is a unique event and everyone can take part.”
For more information about Relay For Life in Dumfries and Galloway visit cruk.org/relay or call 0300 123 1026.
