The Marlborough Cancer Society Relay For Life is a biennial event that raises money for the Society to provide support to cancer sufferers and their families in the region. A symbolic candle was lit in celebration of the fourth Relay, which was launched last night.

Phil Kerslake, a Wellington-based cancer patient, spoke at the event. He described a day in a cancer ward, and the different ways that the disease affects a person and their outlook on life. He named the grueling regimen of medication, the pity of friends and the distracted attention of doctors as some of the things cancer patients must battle in addition to the disease.

Mr. Kerslake described his long experience with cancer, which he said “bordered on a bad joke”. He has lived with cancer since 1974. In 1979 he was given 10 years to live. He survived this, but continues to live with an active form of lymphoma.

He is well, though. In 2006 he wrote ‘Life, Happiness…and Cancer: Survive with Action and Attitude!’ He encouraged the 60-person audience at the Relay launch to get involved.

"If you're presently undecided, remember that the money [raised by the relay] stays here to be used to help your friends and your family. Cancer will affect one in three people in Marlborough. That means that every single family will have to deal with cancer at some point. Believe me: you want the Cancer Society in your corner when that happens."