Relaying Hope: Anna Marie's Journey with Cancer and the Power of Community
Hi, my name is Anna Marie Breen I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015. Cancer is a big part of my family and from a young age I was aware a lot of my relations had cancer and some lost their battles and some fight very hard fights. I am a member of the Sea of Change Choir which is a choir made up of Cancer Survivors and Supporters.
Why do I relay
I had never heard of Relay for Life until the team of beautiful Wexford people asked the choir that I am involved in to sing at their Gala Ball in Whites Hotel.
The ladies and gents made their way to meet us, I introduced myself to Gay and realised she worked with a cousin of mine in Wexford General Hospital and knew other relations of mine. Both of my parents are from Wexford so I have a strong connection with Wexford.
We also sang at the Relay the following summer and we had a Team called Therese’s Fancies after one of the ladies from the choir that passed away and was from New Ross. A lot of us caught the bug to Relay I was amazed how much work goes into this incredible day and night and it is the most serene event I have been at, then when the candle bags are put out each individual bag has a piece of wood lovingly cut to fit that the candle sits in and holds the bag in place.So much manual work goes into this event and the support from the businesses in Wexford is incredible.
When you look at all the people involved and the love they have for this event it’s so hard to describe. I have gone to the survivor dinner which is beautiful everyone has a story to tell about their own journey and along my own journey I have lost my brother to Cancer in December 2022, last year I Relayed for him. I carefully decorated the bag for Johnny and walked and looked at it so many times that evening.
While I was walking a little boy ran over to me and gave me a pair of Purple Ribbon Earrings out of all the people that were walking, he picked me. I was very emotional after that I have those earrings in a box at home.
Even though Relay for Life is done near where I live if it was on the same day as the Wexford Relay, I would still go down to the Wexford one, the ladies and gents hold a special place in my heart. Especially Jennifer and Yvonne they are living walking angels beautiful humans.
