Survivors join relay of healing

Weather was perfect for the walk, despite rain earlier in the week. Photo/Stuart Munro

Des Canterbury was told he had two weeks to live after being diagnosed with testicular cancer - 18 years ago.

Adorned in a red survivor's sash, Mr Canterbury was walking the track at Cooks Gardens yesterday for the Cancer Society's Relay for Life, and said he had been struck with "little emotional moments" on his way around the circuit.

It was Mr Canterbury's first time participating in Relay for Life, and he was doing it to support the family of a relative who had recently passed away from cancer.

"I've been to a lot of community events but this one is the highlight of them all," he said.

"Everybody from all walks of life are participating."

Mr Canterbury said 18 years seemed like it was ages ago but being at the Relay for Life "brings it all back like it was yesterday".

He called the relay a "journey of healing and awareness" that had allowed people to "come together and celebrate life itself".

Another survivor, Roz Jamieson, was diagnosed with breast cancer seven years ago and said the support of a co-worker had helped her deal with the diagnosis.

"That changed my whole lifestyle," she said.

"I decided that there was more to life than work. That was the positive side for me."

She had since involved herself in working with children, who she said had given her the support she needed to battle the disease.

"They have been my biggest supporters for the last seven years," she said.

Mrs Jamieson encouraged other women to get checked. "If you want to see your kids grown up, go and get your checks," she said.

Dave and Angel Wilson walked the track hand-in-hand in remembrance of Angel's sister, who died from cancer last year, as well as another sister five years prior.

"I saw two little children walking hand-in-hand, and a grandfather with his grandson," said Mr Wilson. "I think it's absolutely marvellous." Mrs Wilson loved the quirky outfits, saying "everybody really goes out of their way".