{"id":338508,"date":"2023-10-13T00:15:24","date_gmt":"2023-10-12T14:15:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=338508"},"modified":"2023-10-13T21:52:55","modified_gmt":"2023-10-13T11:52:55","slug":"magical-effort-at-relay-for-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2023\/10\/13\/magical-effort-at-relay-for-life\/","title":{"rendered":"Magical Effort At Relay For Life"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The Conquer Fitness team went all out with their magical Alice In Wonderland costumes<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

October 12, 2023<\/strong><\/p>\n

The theme for the 2023 South Burnett Relay For Life was magical – “The Magic of Relay: Dream It, Hope It, Cure It!” – but the real magic was the efforts of the fundraisers.<\/p>\n

On Thursday, South Burnett Relay chair Rowena Dionysius said donations were still coming in but so far it looked like the 2023 event had raised at least $174,000 for Cancer Council Queensland.<\/strong><\/p>\n

This included the Ride 4 Relay ($45,361, including more than $4000 from the Cattle For A Cure auction), the Dinner With The Captains in August and the culmination of months of fundraising by all the other teams.<\/p>\n

The top school team was from Saint Mary’s Catholic College which raised more than $2000.<\/p>\n

“We have done amazingly well,” Rowena said. “It is really incredible.”<\/p>\n

This year’s Relay was the 17th held in the South Burnett but there was a change in venue this year … the 25 teams set up their stalls at T.J. O’Neill Oval in Kingaroy.<\/p>\n

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Chris Cassens, from Cancer Council Queensland, said the amazing efforts of fundraisers such as Relay for Life made a big difference in the lives of Queenslanders navigating cancer.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

He said the money went towards research but also to provide free accommodation for people undergoing cancer treatment, transport to and from treatment, wigs and turbans, counselling services and financial aid.<\/p>\n

At dusk, the traditional Candlelight Ceremony was held, led by members of Brooksy’s Team.<\/p>\n

Three candles were lit and a minute\u2019s silence held.<\/p>\n

A small table was a focal point of the ceremony:<\/p>\n

\u201cThe table is small, symbolising the frailty\u00a0of a single patient, sometimes alone in the fight against their disease.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThe tablecloth is white, symbolic of the medical profession. Doctors, nurses, researchers and all who help fight the battle for life.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThe single rose in the vase signifies the enduring love of family and friends and the strength of a patient\u2019s will to fight.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cA slice of lemon on the plate reminds us of the bitter battle fought by new patients each year.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThe salt sprinkled on the plate reminds us of the countless tears of personal anguish shared by the patient and those shared by family and friends who have lost a loved one.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cBut the flickering candles represent the light of hope that lives in the hearts if all of us. Hope represented by cancer survivors and the hope for a cure as a result of all the new and continual research funded by events like this.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Walkers then completed a slow lap around the oval, remembering those who have died.<\/p>\n