The first Wangaratta Relay For Life was held on the 4 and 5th of October, 2008. Movin' Healt
h was one of 72 registered teams comprising of nearly1600 people—a national record for a premier RFL event!
RFL is one of the world’s biggest fundraising events with last year's efforts raising nearly $14M. The proceeds go towards anti-cancer initiatives around the country. It also raises awareness for cancer and gives survivors and carers a collective banner to 'fight back' against what cancer has taken away.
Upon the cutting of the purple ribbon the survivors and carers completed the first lap, allowing an overhead picture showing a full ring of purple to be taken from an overhead plane. It was a poignant beginning and the warm sentiment was echoed at sundown by the hundreds of brown and white glowing paper bags, decorated in memory of special people touched by cancer—a truly special moment.
Moovin’ Health, sporting their newly fashioned banner, thanks to Cindy Fan, huffed and puffed their way through the sea of purple for the duration of the event. MH had 14 members registered and it was a real team effort to keep the cow (baton) on the moove.
Special mentions go to Jamie Mapleson for leading much of the running and walking till the wee hours, and to Louise Parry, who teamed up with Darren McCorry in a scrubs style, 'giant-doctor-lap'. Louise was carried around on Darren's shoulders whilst dressed in a long blue surgical gown and carrying a Glucose drip. From Darren's point of view there was never a longer lap. Luckily for Louise, he make it without incident and the physical drain on Darren was nothing that couldn't be fixed with some freshly baked mini-sausage rolls and a mug of hot coffee. Justin Potts deserves another mention for his super slinky kitchen skills, punching out some scones with cream a
nd jam, raspberry tarts, and of course the sausage rolls—all for the lap weary troops of Moovin' Health.
MH managed to raise $250 from a cake stall at the local marked and from direct donations, we are hoping for more as we circulate the stories of success. So if you want to contribute go to www.relayforlife.org.au for the details. The entire Wangaratta event raised around $116,000 with more to come!
MH Wangaratta are a committed group of medical students who are seeking to make more links with the community this year. We hope to build on the common experience of RFL by hosting first-aid services for the Wangaratta Jazz Festival, Community Health Forums and Allied Health events during the rest of our time in Wang.
The team captain would like to thank all the Moovin’ Health RFL contributors for a great job, and we'd also like to congratulate the town of Wangaratta for their record breaking turnout. It was an inspiring effort!
Cheers!
Darren McCorry
Wangaratta MH Community Relations
