WELCOME rain on Friday night did little to dampen the spirits of the hundreds of locals who braved the elements to take part in the 7th annual Cansa Relay For Life at ZCBF Community Park.
Centre of attraction at the event were the courageous cancer survivors and their caregivers, who received a rousing reception as they circled the oval track to the strains of Queen’s ‘We are the Champions’.
Prior to this had had been given a motivational talk by oncologist Dr Nirven Maharaj, who emphasised prevention of cancer through lifestyle changes, and the positive hope for patients as surgical, radiation and chemotherapy treatments improve.
With the stadium darkened and hushed, and luminaria candles lit around the track, emotional participants remembered in silence loved ones lost to cancer: the quietness then broken by angelic singing from a trio of local vocalists.
Oncologist Prof Amo Jordaan then officially opened RFL 2014, praising the work done by the organising committee, caregivers, fundraisers and participating teams.
He stressed the value of volunteers and the community in providing the support needed by cancer patients.
Special mention was made of yet another large donation from Scribante Construction, who continue to invest in the success of RFL.
With all the teams ready to relay, an energetic warm-up by Boot Camps uMhlathuze set the tone for the rest of the night as bikers from the Rhino riders then led from the front before the themed laps that would continue through the night.
Spelling .. Dr Amo Jordaan … not Arno!