Relay a chance to remember and learn

Two good memories from being a visitor to hospice: at Mary Potter in Wellington they bring round a drinks trolley and, at the same place, they let residents smoke.

Both may run counter to what some people may think of a health facility, but in their own way both measures were as life-affirming and empathetic as any kind of treatment.

Why are we talking about hospice? Cancer is a bit of a theme this week with the Relay for Life on this weekend and the loss of Wanganui's Hospice Race Day to Otaki. Hopefully the latter decision, with a bit of people power put to work, will be reversed.

The drinks trolley at Mary Potter made its way from room to room at 5pm with a cheery tinkle, an evening ritual which made the place human and the residents pretty pleased. The smoking might be far more controversial, and may no longer be permitted as this was many years ago, but at the time when a friend was not long from dying it seemed a warm-hearted measure. If the definition of palliative care is the reduction of suffering, then such relaxing of the rules fits with the ethos.

Hospices have become part of the fabric of how we care for people with cancer for control of symptoms, assessment of palliative care, looking after the terminally ill and giving home carers a break.

So has Relay for Life, which has become a community response to what used to be the horror that was cancer. Cancer still has that ability to shock and frighten in a way other diseases don't. We don't get quite so upset about diabetes for instance, but we should. It's a big killer too.

But cancer now affects one in three New Zealanders.

Relay for Life up and down New Zealand gives people a chance to remember those that have died from cancer and be thankful that people survive it. Sometimes its ourselves, sometimes a relative, sometimes a friend.

The relay has many roles for the Cancer Society but importantly it is an opportunity to educate people about detecting cancer early. Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to help organise the event, set up Cooks Gardens for the occasion and to all those taking part.

Scroll through photos of the event and people look mostly radiant; fitting for what is a slightly mad hybrid of remembrance ceremony, exercise, endurance meet and good-to-be-alive gala day.

From noon today in Wanganui, and for 24 hours, hundreds will be part of a worldwide effort to counter cancer. Good luck, and be assured the weather will be perfect.