Relay For Life Donegal
The first Relay For Life took place in Donegal in 2012 and it has been going annually since then, apart from 2020 and Covid Lockdown. It has been a tremendous journey, with incredible support from Survivors, Teams, Volunteers and the community as a whole. Through sunshine, wind and rain, we have Relayed at the LYIT/ATU each year, celebrating all those affected by Cancer, have raised significant funds for the Irish Cancer Society and made memories that will never fade. The monies raised have made a huge impact in helping provide services for cancer patients and their families in Donegal. The Society’s Cancer Information Service, Night Nursing, Counselling & Development Programmes, Research, Transport Service, Travel2Care and Financial Support – all of these services have made a huge difference to the individuals in need of them and their families.
What is Relay For Life?
Relay for Life is the biggest cancer fundraising initiative across the world. It sees communities across the globe coming together to celebrate cancer survivors, remember loved ones lost to cancer, and stand shoulder to shoulder with those facing cancer. Relay For Life is a celebration of solidarity and helps to raise awareness of the services provided by the Irish Cancer Society locally and nationally. Relay has something to offer everyone, so please do join us.
If you have any questions or concerns about cancer, please make sure to contact the Cancer Nurseline on their freephone number 1800 200 700 or visit www.cancer.ie.
What happens at Relay
Cancer never sleeps, so nor do our Relay teams. In this 24 hour event teams join together to walk through the day and night. Members of teams take it in turns to walk a designated distance or time, with someone from the team being on the move at all times in the 24 hour period.
When not walking, members of the teams, and their friends, families and colleagues are free to socialise, enjoy live entertainment and take part in activities arranged by their committee.
There is also a Candle of Hope ceremony, where hundreds of candle bags that have been personalised with messages of hope and remembrance are lit during a moving ceremony involving music and speeches. Anyone can purchase a Candle of Hope bag for a small donation and your bag will be displayed at the Candle of Hope ceremony. We will give you your bag number in advance, so you can locate your bag easily on the night.
Relay has many highlights throughout the 24 hours.
Our Survivors’ Lap
Opens Relay, a lap of purple t-shirts, where we celebrate cancer survivorship, an emotional reminder that survivors are beacons of hope to us all.
The Carers lap
Where we acknowledge and thank family and friends who stood strong and supported a cancer patient, a gentle reminder that cancer impacts not just the patient but the entire family and circle of friends.
The Candle of Hope Ceremony
The Candle of Hope Ceremony at dusk where the flickering lights of the candles light up the night, candles representing names of loved ones lost or candles of hope representing those who have survived or are still fighting the disease.
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