Why I Relay

'Tis the season...

The season when giving is better than receiving...

The season for friends and family...

The season to remember those who have passed away in the last year, and those who went before them...

The season to think about the good things that have happened in 2012...

The season to reflect on accomplishments...

The season to plan for the upcoming year...

I got to thinking about all of these things and realised that many of them are linked. I remember relatives I've lost to cancer, which was the answer to the question "Why do you Relay?" six months ago. It was the reason I participated in Relay for Life in Canada about 8-9 years ago. As someone who is not originally from Kilkenny, I think of the wonderful people I've met and how much Relay is helping me get involved in the local community. I reflect on the accomplishments we've made as an organising committee; no matter how big or small, they are all moving us closer to our first ever Relay for Life. I'm currently sitting in front of the fire, reflecting on all of these things and realise that with each month that passes, there are more and more reasons why I Relay.

Why will you Relay?

With warmest Christmas wishes,
Joanne
PR and Marketing Chair
Relay for Life Kilkenny

Invitation to Cancer Survivors

Celebrate your life! 

Relay for Life Kilkenny will take place on 20-21 July at The Watershed, Kilkenny. We would like to cordially invite all of the Cancer Survivors of Kilkenny to attend the Cancer Survivors’ Reception and the Survivors’ Lap of Honour which opens every Relay For Life event worldwide. 

Relay For Life is a community celebration honouring current and former cancer patients, their families and friends. It is a unique, empowering and fun event in which everyone can participate and make a real difference for people living with cancer right now, and those who may be diagnosed in the future.

Please join us to help officially open the first ever Relay for Life in Kilkenny.  Contact us today!

Candle of Hope Launch a Success

                                                                                                                             

Relay for Life Kilkenny officially launched the Candle of Hope Campaign on Friday 2^nd November at the Tholsel on High Street, Kilkenny. Committee members, volunteers, and Irish Cancer Society staff were on hand all afternoon to speak to the hundreds of people who stopped by to find out more about Relay for Life or to dedicate a Candle of Hope in honour of, or in memory of, someone who has been touched by cancer.

Kilkenny Roses Chloe Hitchcock and Sinéad De Butléir offered their support and attended the launch, pausing for Pat Moore to take photographs alongside Survivors’ Chair Frances Cuddihy and Organising Chair Josephine Kelly. “Candle of Hope luminaries have very personal messages written on them. It is a chance to show support and admiration to those who fight and battle the disease every day. We honour all those who fight back against cancer,” said Josephine Kelly, Relay for Life Kilkenny Chairperson, “These candles will be lit in a very special Candle of Hope Ceremony that takes place at dusk during the Relay for Life Kilkenny event at The Watershed on 20 July 2013 and act as a reminder for Relay participants circling the track of the courageous men, women and children who have battled cancer.”

The most recent data from the National Cancer Registry shows 485 people were diagnosed with cancer in Kilkenny in 2010. Cancer will affect one in three people during the course of their lifetime, however, more people are surviving cancer due to more people being diagnosed at an earlier stage and advances in treatment.

Celebrate. Remember. Fight Back.

Want to register a team?

If you are interested in registering a team for Relay for Life Kilkenny, there are a number of ways you can do so. We recommend registering early, in order not to be disappointed. 

To register your team and secure your team’s place at Kilkenny’s first ever Relay For Life, please complete the Team Captain Registration Form and Declaration and Consent Form. Return it with full payment (cheques payable to the Irish Cancer Society) to your organising committee contact.

The Team Member registration fee is €10 per person or €100 per team of ten or more. Teams comprise of 8-15 members. If you do not have enough members to start, you can add members after the initial registration or you can contact the Relay committee who may be able to link you up with another team. If you have more than 15 members, consider splitting and forming two teams. 

Team Captain's Handbook is available here. 

Team Members will have to sign the Declaration as well as fill out a Team Member Registration Form and return it to the Team Captain. The form is available here. 

If you have any questions, contact the Relay for Life Kilkenny organising committee either by email, Facebook or Twitter and we'll make sure that you have everything you need to register! 

Candle of Hope Launch

As part of Relay For Life, everyone is invited to dedicate a Candle of Hope to someone they know who has been touched by cancer. 

These candles will then be lit and dedicated on the 20th of July in a very special Candle of Hope Ceremony, which takes place at The Watershed at dusk. These luminaries line the track all night and act as a reminder for Relay participants circling the track of the courageous men, women and children who have battled cancer.

Relay for Life Kilkenny will be launching the Candle of Hope on 2 November at 4:15 pm at The Tholsel on High Street, Kilkenny. On that same day, we'll also be selling the Candles of Hope from 1 pm to 5 pm. Come along and dedicate your luminary and find out more about Kilkenny's first Relay for Life. 

We would like to ensure that as many people in Kilkenny County have the opportunity to buy a luminary in honour of or in memory of a loved one who has fought cancer, so if you would like to volunteer to sell luminaries in your community, please do get in touch with us by email, Facebook, or Twitter! 

Our Home on Facebook

Did you know that we have a home on Facebook?

If you are a Facebook user, we ask that you "like us" to support our cause!

You can find us here!

Where does your money go?

Relay for Life events all over Ireland raise money for the Irish Cancer Society. The money goes towards not only cancer research but also critical services that support individuals with cancer. Just a few of the worthwhile programmes include Daffodil Centres in Irish hospitals, the Night Nurse Service, the Survivors Supporting Survivors programme, and the National Cancer Helpline (over 20,000 calls were received by the free helpline at 1800 200 700). 

So where exactly would your fundraising money go after the Relay for Life?

Source: Irish Cancer Society

Relay for Life is coming to Kilkenny in 2013!

What is Relay for Life? 

Relay for Life was started in the 1980s by the American Cancer Society, however, today events are held in more than 20 countries around the world. In 2013, we are bringing the Relay for Life to Kilkenny! 

Relay for Life Kilkenny is a 24-hour walking relay, raising funds to help support the fight against cancer. The event will give the communities in Kilkenny a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, to remember lost loved ones, and to fight back against the disease. 

Please watch the video below to find out more information. If you are interested in participating or want more information please do get in touch!