As a cancer survivor, mum knows first-hand the incredible work that the NSW Cancer Council do and the importance of events such as Relay.

Why are these events so important?

Simple.

Exactly 94 per cent of the funding that the NSW Cancer Council receives comes from events.

In the COVID environment, mass participant events are not possible but it certainly has not stopped the disease nor changed the importance of the work the Cancer Council does.

Over the past ten years, the Cancer Council has raised over $150m for cancer research.

Read more: Angie drove herself to hospital with a bad feeling. She didn't leave for seven weeks

That is a massive number and incredibly important but it is only just the start of the wonderful work they do.

They provide services such as transport for patients to and from treatments. Education to help patients understand what they are fighting. They provide support, understanding and friendship to help people navigate what is without doubt one of the scariest times of their life.

All of these services have a real cost and it is events such as relay which ensure they are available.

This year, Relay your Way celebrates two wonderful women and their powerful messages.

I have only had the pleasure of meeting Melahat once but her message was so important, particularly given our multicultural community. Different nationalities have different understandings of cancer and the work that the Cancer Council does. The multi lingual aspect of their operations is incredibly important and not as well known as it should be.

As a bowel cancer survivor, Melahut is also a champion of testing. Upon turning fifty each year, you receive a free testing kit in the mail and making the decision to take the test saved her life. Do not throw it away, do not put it off until next week, do the test. Bowel cancer is treatable in over 90 per cent of cases, when found early.

The second ambassador is someone I grew up with chasing tennis balls around Beaton Park and I have witnessed first-hand her journey over the past eighteen months.

Ang, a single mother of one little burger monster Oscar, was not feeling well and took herself to the emergency room. It was not anything she could put her finger on but she sensed something was not quite right. Feeling a little unwell, turned into seven weeks in hospital, major surgery and six months of chemotherapy fighting stage three-bowel cancer.

After returning to work and looking forward to getting on with her life, Ang went for a routine blood test. Sadly, there was nothing routine about the test; it showed stage four ovarian cancer. Another battle loomed. Within weeks, another major surgery and six months of chemotherapy for a forty five year old single mother who never showed any symptoms or illness.

Not once over the past eighteen months have I heard a negative word out of Ang. No feeling sorry for herself, no fear of what the future may hold, just a single mindedness, bloody mindedness to defeat cancer.

Her "village" has played a major part in the journey. A childhood friend became her "nominated daily visitor" during COVID times. Another friend moved into her spare room to becoming a carer. No end of friends did soccer pickups, dropped off meals, did so many of the little things we take for granted. Words cannot express the appreciation she has for every member of the village and what they have done for her and Oscar.

Ang's journey has taught me two important messages:

If you sense something is not right, do not take no for an answer. It could save your life.

A positive attitude might not solve all of your problems but it can take you a long way when you are in the fight of your life.

You do not need a purple shirt to "Relay your way" today. Spend time with family; remember those who have been involved in your cancer journey. Celebrate lives well lived, give an extra special hug to those survivors still with us.

However, you choose to relay, remember the wonderful work the Cancer Council does and the important role events like this play in delivering the services which are so critical in fighting this insidious disease which sadly affects us all.

Mark Sleigh is the general manager of Destination Wollongong