HUNDREDS of people who have been touched by cancer will walk for 24 hours straight in memory of those they have lost and in honour of those who have survived cancer.
Narre Warren's Greg Barclay will take part in the Casey-Cardinia Relay for Life for his wife, Sharyn, who died from liver cancer two years ago.
"It will be hard, really hard, but it is a way we can give back and give the kids something else to focus on.
"It's a good way to honour Shaz and we're hoping it will give us something tangible we can do instead of just talking about it and thinking about it.
"But it's not just about Sharyn, it's about everyone who has been affected by cancer."
Sharyn was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 36. At the time the couple had two children, Adi, then nearly four, and Erin, 18 months.
"She had a partial mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiology and then she was in remission," Greg says.
"We were told we wouldn't have any more problems."
The couple were also told that Sharyn would no longer be able to have children. So within a few years of finishing her treatment the couple were surprised to learn she was pregnant with their third child, Keely.
It wasn't until three years ago, when the couple were looking into life insurance for Sharyn that they discovered the cancer had returned. "The doctor rang up and said something was wrong with the results from the liver.
"We had a scan done and they rang that night to say she had liver cancer.
"Then it was discovered she had breast cancer as well and the liver cancer was secondary."
The news came just two days short of the 10th anniversary of her first cancer diagnosis.
Greg says that by the time the doctors were able to identify the location of the cancer in the liver it was too late. "It couldn't be removed and because it was cancer they couldn't do a transplant.
"We were in and out of hospital and we knew it wasn't going too well, and no one would say much to us.
"Then one day we were in the hospital and a surgeon came in and said there was nothing more they could do, and that Sharyn probably wouldn't see the week out. "It was quite quick. We were told in August 2007 that something was wrong, and she passed away in May 2008."
Greg says the family have been heartened by support from family, friends and the broader community.
So far the Shazletics have 48 registered participants for the relay, but Greg hopes the numbers will increase as the day approaches. "We've also got eight people who have signed up for the night shift and walk through the night.
"That's just amazing."
Greg says the first lap will be the hardest. "They have an opening ceremony and they have asked us to supply a picture of Sharyn that will be put on the big screen with others who have passed away.
"Then the carers, like the kids and I, will do a lap with the survivors. I'm not looking forward to that part, but it is important for people to remember her."
Greg has also introduced one rule for the event - one of Sharyn's bags must be carried by a male walker the whole time.
"We wanted to do something different and Sharyn was handbag mad. This particular bag she bought in Bali and used to take it everywhere.
"We didn't want to make it too morbid, but we've got a teddy bear in there, Jimmy One Eye, which Sharyn had growing up. She'd like that."
Greg says the team
has so far raised about $1200.
"They guarantee that 83cents of every dollar donated goes directly to research.
"The Cancer Council of Victoria stresses that it only takes out the money they have to keep the organisation running."
The Casey/Cardinia Relay for Life is on 6pm this Friday until 6pm Saturday. Details: www.relayforlife.org.au
To donate to the Shazletics click the Donate link and follow the prompts.
Email a friend
Favourites
Del.icio.us
Facebook
Digg
StumbleUpon
MySpace
Reddit
Newsvine
LinkedIn
Kwoff
Twitter