Ipswich hits $1million mark for Relay for Life
THE volunteer spirit and generosity of Ipswich people has again shown itself for all to see.
The Ipswich community has been raising funds for the Cancer Council Queensland Relay for Life event for the past decade and reached the $1million mark yesterday when Mayor Paul Pisasale made a donation of $2000 on behalf of Ipswich City Council.
Relay for Life is an annual event where members of the community come together to celebrate cancer survivors, remember people lost to cancer and to fight back against the disease. Teams keep a baton moving in a relay-style walk or run over 18 hours to raise funds.
Cr Pisasale, who has been named patron of the 2013 Relay for Life event, said he was "proud of the volunteer spirit of the Ipswich community".
"I am inspired by the hard work and complete dedication of Cancer Council Queensland volunteers in the local relay for life event each year," Cr Pisasale said.
"It is a privilege to be a part of the work they do - and to recognise their value in supporting people diagnosed with cancer, those who have lost loved ones, and those doing their part to help eliminate cancer altogether."
The face of Relay for Life in 2012, Ipswich local Colleen Julian, was diagnosed with breast cancer 10 years ago and got involved with Cancer Council Queensland.
"I've undergone surgery, chemotherapy and radiation for breast cancer and only recently I had another operation to have a bowel cancer removed," she said.
"I've worked with some wonderful volunteers during the past 10 years I have been a relay supporter, including the same group of ladies who have been putting on the survivors and carers afternoon tea for that whole time.
"It's great to see Mayor Paul Pisasale ... making a generous donation to support our goal of reaching a cancer-free future."
