Those whose lives have been touched by a cancer diagnosis are invited to play a key role in Relay For Life Isle of Man on Saturday August 29 at the National Sports Centre, Douglas by joining in the Lap of Honour which marks the start of the 24-hour event.

The relay, for which Celton Manx is lead sponsor for the fifth successive year, is part of a global movement fundraising for cancer research and represents a celebration of life and the culmination of a year’s community fundraising events.

Relay For Life Isle of Man chairman Debbie Pitts said: ‘The Lap of Honour is a crucial part of Relay For Life and a moving start to the weekend's celebrations. I’ve taken part as a survivor for the last five years so am indebted to our sponsor Celton Manx, everyone who supports our fundraising efforts and to cancer research which is developing new treatments every day so we can all continue the fight against cancer.

‘Cancer survivors are our VIP guests at the relay. For them there’s no fee to take part and no need to make a donation or engage in any fundraising; they need only to sign up at www.cruk.org/relay. Survivors walk the first lap and then are welcomed into our VIP area where we host complimentary refreshments.’

Thanks to Cancer Research's work more people are surviving cancer than ever before. Survival rates have doubled over the last 40 years and for the first time, more people are surviving cancer than lose the battle, and Cancer Research has been at the heart of that progress.

Debbie said: ‘Cancer affects so many people in the Island every year. Relay For Life is a great way to support our survivors and all our families by raising awareness and money to fund Cancer Research UK's lifesaving research.

‘So far we have 54 survivors registered but they represent only a small percentage of survivors across the whole island. A survivor can be anyone from someone having had an initial diagnosis to a person undergoing treatment, or from being in remission to being given the all clear.

‘This is a unique community event and with the help of people of the Isle of Man and our lead sponsor Celton Manx we can continue to celebrate our achievements and fight back against this devastating disease.

‘We would love to hear from any survivor who wants to be part of the Lap of Honour. Survivors can take part in as little or as much of the event as they like, but such is their courage and inspiration to others the contribution they make to Relay For Life Isle of Man lasts long after the celebrations are over.’

For more information about signing up as a survivor, contact Debbie Pitts on 473052, or email relayiom@gmail.com.  

Alternatively, meet Debbie and the rest of the team at a special Survivors Day and fundraiser at Tesco in Douglas on Saturday July 25 from 10am to 4pm.