Relay for Life 2023
Hope shone brightly at the 22nd annual Hills Relay Brave head shaved, Jaime Berglin, Joel Sedger and Sharon Capizzi. for Life held at Castle Hill Showground.
Thousands of people were involved in the 24-hour community event which raises funds for Cancer Council research grants and support programs.
The $250,000 target was reached even before the Candlelight Ceremony of Hope began on Saturday, May 20th at 6pm.
Chair of the Hills Relay for Life Organising Committee Lisa Carruthers said the new $300,000 target will be beaten following the Relay Gala dinner at Castle Hill this Saturday, June 3rd.
Lisa said the local community had been amazing in supporting the Hills Relay For Life which looks like being the biggest Relay for Life event in the State.
Teams included schools, youth groups, service organisations, churches, local businesses and teams of family and friends who all walked to make a difference to people on their cancer journey
Six high school teams, Glenwood High, Castle Hill High, Crestwood High, Rouse Hill Anglican College, Kellyville High and Kings School took the track and raised over $55,000 between them.
Lisa said: “Our relay is such a mix of ages, we have babies and toddlers, students, parents and grandparents all taking part in this fantastic community event.
“The schools add such energy. Our first lap for Survivors and Carers is such an important lap for us all to see.”
Cancer survivor Damien MacRae was guest speaker this year and spoke about how he was living proof of the importance of research. Damien was guest speaker in 2017 when he was given just six months to live.
He said the true heroes were the researchers and carers.
Federal Member for Mitchell Alex Hawke MP spoke in Parliament House to congratulate the Hills Relay For Life volunteer organising committee saying it was an amazing community event. He has had a team in the Hills Relay Relay For Life for the past 15 years.
“I’m told by the Cancer Council that the Hills Relay for Life is probably the largest in Australia and that the relay that has raised the most money, which is a very significant achievement from the Mitchell community,” he said.
“Relays for Life are to recognise and celebrate local cancer survivors, patients, their carers and to honour and remember everyone who’s been lost to cancer and to raise that vital money for research and funds in the ongoing progress that we are all making as humans against an insidious disease that takes so many. “It’s a great privilege to represent such a generous and charitable community.” He said he looked forward to participating in this event for many to come.
Planning has already started for next year’s Hills Relay For Life which will be held on May 18th/19th 2024. Lisa Carruthers said: “In the past 22 years The Hills community has raised nearly $6 million for cancer research and support programs that have benefited the local community.
“We would like to thank everyone in our amazing Hills Community for their support this year.” The Thank You function is on Tuesday 27th June.
Donations can still be made until the end of June at https://www.relayforlife.org.au/event/hills-2023/home 
