Relaying Hope: Marie's Journey with Cancer
Hi. My name is Marie Kehoe. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in March 2021.
I went through chemo, had a mastectomy and lymph nodes removal (full auxiliary clearance), and had radiotherapy. I finished treatment a year and a day after my diagnosis. Thankfully, I was given the all-clear!
Of course, treatment and surgery are very difficult to go through, in so many ways life after cancer is very challenging, and in some ways more arduous.
Why I relay.
I first heard about Relay For Life from a fellow BC survivor, Lisa Somers. She gave me a contact for one of the committee members, so I sent her a text. After a chat with Julie, she had me signing up to put a team together for Relay ‘22. We had about a month to prepare, lol.
My family and friends were on board very quickly. That’s where the team “Marvellous Melons” was born.
And what an experience it was!
I arrived with Lisa to the survivor’s tent, at 12pm, where a lunch is served, with entertainment, singers and speakers. When I was sat at the table I looked around me to see the crowd of survivors, all wearing purple t-shirts. Some faces I recognised. It was a surreal feeling when I realised “I am part of that club now”! It was very emotional in many ways.
At 2pm we started the first lap of the relay “the survivor’s lap”. The lady on stage had everyone buzzing and raring to go. Seeing faces in the crowd I knew who were all lined up around the track was so lovely, and especially getting to where my family and friends were, all waiting to see me walking as a survivor for my first time. This was so special. And it felt so good when they joined me in the following laps.
The atmosphere was something else. We were all amazed how good it was. We couldn’t believe the effort that went into it. The kids were having a blast and everyone was in great spirits.
Later in the evening they had the candle light ceremony. This was where bags with candles were lit around the track, they represented people who had passed away from, people going through and those who survived cancer.
I found the night time walking to be a peaceful, calming experience. And I enjoyed the chats with other walkers. We walked it out through the night, into the dawn and up to 2pm on Sunday.
We had such a good experience we did it again in ‘23. And it was every bit as good.
This year we’ve decided to go to it individually and experience it in that way. We will do some laps for other teams from our area.
But mark my words “Marvellous Melons” will be back.
“You really have to experience it to understand it” was what my cousin said to me last year. And it’s so true.
The teams have stuff going on at each tent, selling different things, raffles, games, etc. There are food vendors on site throughout the 24 hours, also.
Raising money for the Irish Cancer Society while giving people this unique experience is so incredible. Doing Relay has given me so much as a survivor, personally. It also gives me the chance to give back.
I am so lucky to be a survivor. I’ve so much to be grateful for!
