CANCER survivors from across London are to lead an all-night festival of hope and remembrance in a united effort to find cures for the disease.

Cancer Research UK's Relay For Life brings together the whole
community in one location for up to 24 hours to celebrate the strides
being made to cure cancer faster.

As part of the event, teams of people from all sections of the
community take turns to walk, run, skip or even crawl around a track
in a relay following an opening 'Lap of Honour' by cancer survivors.

Grace Riel, chair of Cancer Research UK's Relay For Life in Battersea,
said: "Relay For Life is a celebration as well as an informal day of
remembrance. There's music, there's laughter, there's fun but there is
also poignancy and everyone who joins in takes away something special.

"We want to celebrate life and remember the loved ones who passed
away. There are many different strands to Relay For Life and anyone
who can help with advice or support will be valued."

The Cancer Research UK Relay For Life in Battersea takes place at The
Millennium Stadium in Battersea Park on 22 & 23 September 2007 and is
part of a worldwide fundraising initiative to combat cancer.

This is the first event of its kind in central London and volunteers
are needed to organise and recruit teams, seek community support, find
refreshments and prizes, plan entertainment and lend their support in
any way they can.

When the big day arrives, teams will camp out at the Relay site and
celebrate their fundraising achievements. When they are not taking
their turn relaying, they can take part in a range of fun activities
and enjoy local entertainment.

Just before 10pm the atmosphere quietens down as the Candle of Hope
Ceremony - the most poignant part of Relay For Life - begins. Special
messages are written on bags in memory or in celebration of loved ones
and these are placed around the track with candles inside them.

Take part as a Survivor

At Relay For Life, anyone who has heard the words "you have cancer" is
considered a Survivor. Relay For Life is a celebration of
survivorship. Survivors show the progress and success of research and
the reason why communities continue to raise money for Cancer Research
UK.

As Relay For Life's Guests of Honour, cancer Survivors of all ages
start the Relay by walking the first lap. They are cheered on by
family, friends and teams from the community who have come together to
celebrate their achievements and help more people beat cancer.

Some Survivors simply attend the opening ceremony, others decide to
join in the Relay and take the opportunity to meet people and make new
friends.

"Look forward not back, Life is for Living, Live it well. Thank you
Cancer Research UK for giving me that chance" - Beverley Hughes,
cancer Survivor.

To find out more about Relay For Life or to get involved telephone
0772 332 8704, email Relayforlife2007_battersea@hotmail.co.uk or log
onto www.cancerresearchuk.org/relay/venues/london/322192/

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Dr Vinod K Joshi,