Relay For Life Project Officer Colin Kemp Cancer Council Tasmania 180-184 Collins St, Hobart TAS 7000 Phone: 6233 7250 Fax: 6233 3042 Email: ckemp@cancertas.org.au Relay For Life Hotline 1300 65 65 85

On the last weekend in February, 2898 happy Relayers in 110 teams participated in a grand event at Hobart.
Based on the information from the teams, it is very likely that Hobart will return in excess of $422,000. This is a wonderful effort and bodes extremely well for our 10th season in 2010. It is welll below our original forecast of $475,000, but this could not account for the impact of the Victorian Bushfire  relief funds, and the gloomy economic climate.

Major prize winners were:
Best Baton:                               Shining Lights
Best Campsite:                          Dragons Abreast & Friends
Best Team uniform:                    Witches B ® itches
Most Laps:                                I Live strong
Lucky Door Prizes:
Bicycle:                                    Nick Fenton ( Renegades Rebel Relay Runners)
BBQ:                                        Connie Eastwood (Mel's Lap Dancers)
Camp setting:                            Claire Armstrong (Friendlies).

The Survivors Walk was lead by Rick Baxter our long term piper, and had the most people attending in our memory of the event.
The Candlelight Ceremony was most poignant, although we still have some issues about the sound system to rectify.
A thoroughly good feel event which went off without too many hitches.

Many thanks to the Lions Committee lead by Robin Pulford from Clarence Lions.

We have sent out pre registration forms to the 2009 teams, hoping they will submit early pre registration for our landmark 10th event in February 2010.”

Hobart Relay For Life 2009 in pictures

Caring workplace critical to cancer recovery - by cancer patient Helen Brain

Helen Brain (centre) and her workmates from Hydro Tasmania present Relay For Life project officer South Colin Kemp (third from left) with a tin of money, raised in honour of Helen's battle with breast cancer.

Hearing the words “you have breast cancer” is a chilling scenario for any woman or man. Yes, men can also be afflicted by this disease.

I was diagnosed with breast cancer late last year. A mass was found at my annual GP check-up after which a series of tests were undertaken, including a mammogram, ultrasound and needle biopsy, without a definitive result. The next step was a further two biopsies undertaken by a specialist breast surgeon which identified a cancer growth. The result was a mastectomy and the removal of lymph nodes followed by a course of chemotherapy.

This series of events was put into action very quickly and I needed to take quite a lot of unplanned time off work for surgeries and medical appointments.

From the time of my diagnosis the people I work with at Hydro Tasmania rallied around me. My wonderfully thoughtful colleagues organised a food roster. Car parking was arranged so I could drive to work rather than risk picking up any infections from people on the bus, as infection can prolong treatment. The support was incredibly humbling.

Most importantly, I have been able to access sick leave. Several years ago Hydro Tasmania introduced an innovative approach to sick leave, a no debit sick leave policy. Instead of the usual ten sick leave days allocated each year, it is available as needed. This very compassionate approach provides support and the peace of mind to know that you won't be left without an income as you recover from serious illness. Employees are also encouraged to keep in touch with long-term absent colleagues so they don't feel isolated.

This level of caring is well above and beyond what most people could expect from their workplace.

For me this support has meant significantly reduced stress and I believe a much improved prognosis as a result, making it possible for me to return to work earlier and more frequently between treatments.

I have found that exercise, a good diet and having positive upbeat people around also helps to keep a positive attitude.

I have completed my chemotherapy treatment and with the support of my family, friends, colleagues and health professionals I am determined to be a cancer survivor. This year I am taking part in the Relay For Life.

Hydro Tasmania and its people are long-time supporters of Cancer Council through Daffodil Day, Pink Ribbon Day, the annual Gala Ball and the Relay for Life. This year sees state-wide participation in the Relay with three teams participating and very enthusiastic and creative fundraising which received a boost this year with a raffle prize of accommodation and meals at the award winning Tarraleah Estate. Just before Christmas our Business Development people presented me with a large tin containing $500 in coins and notes that they had collected throughout the year to donate to Cancer Council.

Kids R Stars - Poem by Gail Joyce Team Captain Kids R Stars Team No 5
The Relay For Life is a great event,
We all get together and put up our tent
We walk round the oval in sun or in rain
We do it each year and we'll do it again.

In our very first year our leader was Lee
And very soon after we found out that she
Had cancer herself and before the next year
We had lost a dear friend and we all shed a tear.

Kids ‘R' Stars is the name of our team
And we work at the Royal, and all of us dream
Of a time when cancer will not be a curse
When research will mean that we won't need to nurse.

We all care for kids and we do it with love
Although we must do it behind gown and glove,
We sometimes do things we don't like very much
But we do all we can with a real gentle touch.

Our children and friends join in with the games
They sing karaoke and hanker for fame,
They chat and they giggle regardless of weather
We're a wonderful team when you put us together.

The relayers travel at varying speeds
There are some at the back and some in the lead,
But a couple of laps nobody minds
If you're way out in front or way back behind.

Our members take turns and they go round in pairs
We wear our team colours with elegant airs,
We do every lap with a star on a handle
We love 8pm when we light up the candles

We have loads of tucker and plenty of treats
And we have lots of blankets and pillows and seats.
We wear coats and scarves, gloves and thick woolly caps
We tuck ourselves up and we try to take naps.

At the end of the weekend we're plumb tuckered out
Our feet are sore and our legs are worn out
We look and we feel decidedly rough
We've eaten too much and not slept enough.

But we'll be back next year with renewed vim and zest
We'll try to raise dollars and all do our best
We'll think of fund raisers, ideas will be rife,
And Kids will be Stars at the Relay For Life.

Relay For Life sponsored by:

Major Sponsor

Regional Sponsor

Support Sponsor

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