Dot McCarron has walked through 14 Relay for Life events with her sister at her side.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
This year for the first time her sister could not make it, but at the start of the survivors and carers lap at the Northern Athletics Centre on Saturday, Mrs McCarron, 79, was still walking ahead of the rest.
“Usually my sister is here, she’s in a wheelchair,” Mrs McCarron said.
In her 15th Relay for Life, despite the pelting rain, Mrs McCarron said she had been first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1969 – and it struck again in 1997.
“I’ve had a double masectomy,” she said. “It just struck again.”
While the weather was not on the side of the dedicated survivors, carers and supporters who took to the track, Mrs McCarron said it was encouraging to see so many people.
“It’s a big lift,” she said.
“Seeing so many people here, it’s a big lift, but it’s sad to see so many people have been struck by cancer.”
As Mrs McCarron continued her walk, she passed by a supporter’s tent in which six-year-old Xander Brookes was chipping in to fundraise.
Xander, a Youngtown Primary pupil, had set up his own fundraiser for his first time at Relay for Life, with a ‘guess how many easter eggs are in the jar’ competition.
Relay for Life concludes on Sunday morning at 10am.