The Relay for Life never fails to bring out the best in our community.
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The event raises money for cancer services in our region and gives us a chance to remember those many people who have been lost to this disease, but it also provides moments of unbelievable inspiration.
At the weekend over 600 people in our community joined together at the Tom 'Scout' Willoughby Oval for the Shellharbour Relay for Life. The event is likely to have raised over $80,000 for cancer services in the Illawarra.
It didn't take much to see the many positive stories happening around the event, those stories that make Relay for Life such a special event.
There was the story of Michael Grayling who drove eight hours from Melbourne to participate in the event, his 653rd Relay for Life event. The next day he drove to Orange to participate in their event.
The 62-year-old told the Illawarra Mercury he was passionate about supporting Relay For Life events.
"This year marks my 40th year of having cancer in my body," he said.
"In 1979, I was given six weeks to live.
"I went through 11 months of chemotherapy in 1980 when I was 22 years old.
"I came out the other side and now I can't stop fighting for a cure."
Incredible stuff. Then there was little seven-year-old Marley who completed 100 laps for the Team Sweet Family.
As one person commented on Facebook, such a huge effort for such little legs.
It might be smaller on the physical scale of Mr Grayling's efforts but monumental nonetheless.
Congratulations to all those people who took part whether they walked one lap or a a hundred.
Thank you for supporting the fight against cancer in your community.
The Wollongong Relay for Life will be held on Saturday, October 12, and that will be your next opportunity to take part.
If you can, please consider forming a team to take part and experience the wonderful community spirit for yourself.