Men, women and children of the Island whose lives have been touched with a cancer diagnosis are being invited to play a key role in the Isle of Man Relay For Life, in aid of Cancer Research UK.  The local charity is calling on people who have survived the disease AND others who are currently under-going treatment, to join in the inspirational 'Lap of honour' which marks the start of the 24 hour event which is being held at The NSC over the weekend of 23 August starting at 12 noon. 

Debbie Pitts, the Survivor Chair of the Committee for Relay For Life Isle of Man said, " The Lap of Honour is a crucial part of Relay For Life. It is a moving start to the weekend's festivities. I have taken part as a survivor for the last 4 years and I know how indebted I am to Cancer Research as it continues its fight against cancer.  Cancer survivors are the VIP guests of our Relay. There's no fee to take part as a Relay survivor. We walk the first lap and then we are welcomed into our fabulous Survivors reception, and treated to light refreshments and champagne!  We don't ask anything of our survivors, we just want as many survivors to come and see us and be treated!  Survivors don't have to stay for the whole 24 hours, but their impact will last for the entire event!"

Thanks to the work of Cancer Research, more people are surviving cancer than ever before. Survival rates have doubled over the last 40 years and Cancer Research has been at the heart of that progress.  Debbie said " Cancer affects so many people every year. Relay For Life is a great way to support the charity by raising awareness of cancer, and building a huge fundraising campaign to fund Cancer Research UK's life saving research.  We would love to hear from anyone who wants to take part in the Survivors lap of Honour, or to come along to any part of the event. This is a unique and inspirational event which celebrates life and gives hope for a future.  With the help of people of the Isle of Man we can accelerate our progress against this devastating disease".  To provide a special opportunity for survivors to find out more, TK Maxx are hosting Relay Isle of Man's first 'Survivors Day' instore at  TKMaxx this Saturday 28th June from 10.30am to 2.30pm.   Survivors, or anyone who may wish to have an invite sent to survivors they know are encouraged to get in touch with Debbie and the Relay Committee at Debbie.pitts@relay.co.im or find out more at www.relay.co.im, or register as a survivor at www.cruk.org/relay.