We all know a friend or a family member or have personally battled this horrid disease.

We all hope above all hope that one day we find a cure to conquer this disease once and for all.

Until them we must do everything we can as a community to help raise the money needed to aid better treatment, research and care for those deep in the battle with cancer.

That is where events like Relay for Life come in.

Today the 2019 Wollongong Relay for Life will be held over 12 hours at Beaton Park.

People of all ages, from all walks of life will join together to raise money, raise awareness and to remember those they have loved and lost to cancer.

There will also be many there who have survived their own journey.

The Wollongong Relay for Life needs much needed funds for cancer services in our regions.

At the launch earlier this year, the 2019 Relay for Life ambassador Mark Sleigh invited people to "come for a lap of come for a day".

For the Destination Wollongong general manager it will be a day of huge significance for his family,

When he helped launch the event in April this year he did so along with two of his closest family members, his mother Wendy and stepfather John, both who had survived their own battles with cancer.

Sadly, John lost his health battle earlier this year and won't be walking with the family, but will be there in spirit with the family.

There will be many others who will walk accompanied in spirit on the day.

That's the clear feeling you get from Relay for Life.

It is an overwhelming feeling of support, friendship and unification behind a common cause.

Many of the people at the forefront of our minds at Relay for Life aren't there but they are with us regardless.

No-one walks alone at Relay.

Please, if you can spend a lap, an hour of a day, join in the 2019 Wollongong Relay for Life. Come and join us.