Candles of Hope light the track as walkers pass during the night at last year's Relay for Life Tipperary.Â Candles celebrate friends or family members who have survived cancer, remember those who did not, and give thanks to friends and carers who helped in the fight against the disease

Dance for life in nenagh

Published: Thu 23 Jul 2015, 5:25 PM

Last updated: Thu 23 Jul 2015, 6:30 PM

Teams entered for this year’s Relay for Life Tipperary are busily preparing for the event, which takes place in St Michael’s GAA Grounds in Toomevara on the weekend of August 15/16th.
Chairperson Relay for Life Tipperary, Lorna King, says that Relay for Life is all about Hope – the hope that one day we will have a world without cancer, that we will find a cure for cancer, and that patients who are diagnosed with cancer will have better treatments and outcomes. There has been significant progress in this regard and the work of Relay for Life is helping to make such a world possible, with cancer sufferers nowadays having a much better chance of surviving the disease than was the case in years gone by.
One of the most poignant events at every Relay for Life is the Candle of Hope ceremony, which takes place as darkness begins to fall. As the evening approaches, the lighted candles are set around the track, and remain there lighting all night as the event continues. Once the candles are placed around the track, the short ceremony takes place.
Rose Cleary, Chairperson of the Candle of Hope Sub-Committee, says: “For many people, this is when the true meaning of Relay hits home. Some of the candles are to celebrate a friend or loved one who has survived cancer, others are to remember someone who did not, while still others are dedicated to family and carers who helped in the fight against the disease. All candles are numbered, and people can easily locate their own candle and message around the track.”
Candles are available from any member of any participating Relay team, or email relayforlifetipperary@gmail.com or call 087-4463631.
Relay for Life Tipperary Survivors Reception Afternoon Dance takes place in the Scouts Hall, Nenagh, on Sunday July 26th from 3pm - 5pm. If you are a cancer survivor and would like to take part in Relay for Life Tipperary come along to this information and get together before the main event on August 15th. Light refreshments will be served.

For further information email relayforlifetipperary@gmail.com or call 087-4463631.