“The Year 11 cohort had the incredible experience of participating in Relay for Life 2024. This year’s Relay took place in the school’s sports centre from 9am to 5pm, with all 172 committed girls in our year group participating as well as the help of amazing staff.
Throughout term 3, we worked hard to fundraise, and our effort was shown through the extraordinary success of raising an impressive total of $59,000 for the fight against cancer. The entire day was filled with energy, hope and a profound sense of community, making it an unforgettable experience for everyone involved.
From the moment everyone arrived, the atmosphere was buzzing. The day featured a variety of activities organised by the Relay Year Level Committee. Activities like an extravagant news paper fashion show and a rather heated game of multisport, kept everyone motivated and engaged throughout the day. Further activities involved: watching Grown Ups during our Sals Pizza and St Pierre’s sushi lunch, a quiz about people in our year level (and teachers!), egg and spoon race, karaoke, Just Dance, and finally competitive dodgeball games!
This all took place while at least one person from each house was walking at a time, passing on the baton as they swapped.
The laughter, shared stories and important memories made, taught us all the core reason behind Relay for Life, coming together year after year to make a difference and to fight for a future where cancer doesn’t have to affect 1 in 3 people and where patients can get the support and care they desperately need.
As the day began to conclude, the atmosphere shifted to one of deep reflection. The candle-lit ceremony was something I can say changed my outlook on life and made us see just how many people are affected by cancer. The candle-lit ceremony was a beautiful and emotional moment for everyone there. Hundreds of candles were lit inside hand decorated lanterns in honour of loved ones lost, survivors, and those still fighting. Few words were spoken after a poem was read by some of the girls, yet in those precious moments of silence, the candles illuminated the space and filled us with a sense of unity as we all connected on a different level. As we carried our lanterns with loved ones’ names on them up to the mezzanine to start the lap together as one, we remembered, we celebrated and we reflected on lives impacted by cancer. It was an evoking reminder of why we continue to fight and it left a lasting impression on everyone who witnessed it.
The day taught us that Relay for Life is not simply just about raising money for cancer research, but about spreading awareness, raising spirits as we come together as one, and honouring the resilience of survivors and fighters. If I could reflect on one thing from this day, it would be that a disease I naively believed was rare, is one that had affected every single person that attended this day. Whether it was close relatives, friends of friends or yourself, everyone’s lives had been tainted by this awful sickness. This realisation was eye opening and motivating to say the least.
Thank you to everyone who participated, donated, and supported Cancer Society’s cause. Your contributions will go so far beyond this single event, they will fuel research, provide support and inspire hope for millions.”
