'It's more than a fundraiser. It's about survivors' - Laois Relay for Life gets underway

Laois woman Helena Gleeson is taking part in the Irish Cancer Society's Relay for Life event taking place in Emo Court this weekend and she says it is 'more than a fundraiser. It's about survivors'. 

The event starts at 1pm on Saturday, July 27 and will run for 24 hours.

"I have a lot of family and friends, young and old, who have cancer, are survivors of cancer, or haven't survived cancer. So, it's one of those things where you always feel like you can't do anything to help and you are always asking can I do anything to help. And really, people are just getting through their treatment and there's not a whole lot you can do," said Helena.

When Helena heard about the Laois event, she felt it was very worthwhile. "When I heard about this event in Emo, I thought do you know what, I'm going to get involved in this," she explained. 

"It's a fundraiser, but it's more than a fundraiser. It's about survivors. I invite anyone that I know from my family, my friends, who are survivors, to come on the day. They open the event with a lap around the driveway of Emo Court. And then they get taken away for a lovely afternoon tea, courtesy of the cafe in Emo and they look after them for a couple of hours. People come in and give them a little massage and they are treated very well for a couple of hours. It gives them a bit of relaxation time," Helena explained. 

She said there is room for 10 teams, who walk in relay for 24 hours. Helena explained that she has family and friends who offer an hour of their time, over the 24 hour period, with one tagging out and another person tags in. "For the whole 24 hours, someone is walking I am the constant there for my team," Helena said. 

The team is called the Cancer Slayers and have a fundraising target of €5,000. 

"It's all about awareness, it's about fundraising, but it's about remembrance as well," Helena said. 

"The other part of it is that there is a candle of hope ceremony. As well as collecting money as a fundraiser, we sell candle bags, so people can buy a bag for a person. It might be a person who is battling cancer or it might be someone who has passed away from cancer, that you just want to remember," Helena said. 

"It's actually very emotional for people. Nearly everyone was in tears last year," she said. 

"It's a tough battle for people. It's a lot more than a fundraiser, but obviously you want to raise as much funds as you can," Helena. 

Employed as a Business Support Manager at Fingleton White in Laois, Helena says it can be a challenge to juggle your working day and fundraising efforts, but it's not something she regrets doing. 

"What you get out of it is 100 times more than you put into it," Helena said. 

People can donate directly to the event or to their favourite team or fundraiser. You can support the event by buying a Candle of Hope bag or joining with participants at the Candle of Hope ceremony on 27 July 2024 at dusk for an evening of music and remembrance.

Funds raised from this event will support vital support services for people living with cancer. These much needed funds will help the Irish Cancer Society continue to provide Night Nurses, Volunteer Drivers, a freephone Support line, counselling sessions, fund life changing research & much more.

The Irish Cancer Society says people's help today, will help to make a difference in the lives of cancer patients and their families, to ensure that no-one has to go through their cancer journey alone.