Ruth Swadling

I'm stepping up against cancer!

I wrote the passage below when I first participated in Hornsby Relay For Life in 2016. 

Little did I know then that I would hear the words ‘you have cancer’ spoken to me in 2024.

I am now undergoing treatment that will extend well into 2025.

I am so grateful for the advances being made in all areas of cancer research, treatment, early detection, support services and education programs.

This is only a small part of why I Relay.

Cancer

It’s a word that can change everything in a split second.

It’s a word nobody wants to hear from their doctor. 

It’s a word that can bring families together and at the same time tear them apart.

It’s a word that has touched the life of almost every person in some way.

It’s a word that hopefully, in the future, will be uttered alongside the words ‘There’s no need to worry, this can be successfully treated, there is a cure.’

* The only way to make cancer successfully treatable and, perhaps one day, a thing of the past is through research which needs to be funded.

* There are ways to try to prevent cancer through diet, exercise and healthy lifestyle choices. This process requires education programs which need to be funded.

* People who care for cancer patients often need support and advice. This needs to be funded.

* People suffering from cancer need support, through education, advocacy, exercise programs, transport and financial assistance, and palliative care. All of these services need to be funded.

Relay For Life is my opportunity to Celebrate cancer survivorship, Remember loved ones lost and Fight Back against cancer.

I'm raising money in the lead up to the overnight event, where I will be joining members of our greater community and walking around the track to signify that cancer never rests, so neither do we.

Improvements in cancer prevention and screening mean that less people will hear the words, “you have cancer”, and advances to cancer treatments mean that cancer patients can spend more time with their loved ones. 

Through your support, by donation and/or participation in Relay For Life, we will save more lives. 

All funds raised go towards Australia’s leading cancer charity, Cancer Council. If you decide to make a donation, no matter how big or small, to help improve the lives of so many people, I thank you.