Aged care residents get on board Relay For Life

Friday, 16 February

Residents at Uniting AgeWell Lillian Martin Community will lace up their walking shoes on Monday, 19 February for their in-house Relay For Life.

Uniting AgeWell Lillian Martin Community’s Manager Integrated Services, Vicki Mills, said the facility had participated in Relay For Life for about five years.  Starting with a staff team in the local Relay, the residents soon got wind of the event and wanted to get involved.

“The residents can’t attend the official relay, so we worked with Cancer Council Tasmania to establish our own,” she said.

“We set up a walking loop inside the facility or around the grounds and we make a baton, then the residents walk as many laps as they can.”

Among the dozens of dedicated walkers and wheelers will be 99-year-old Doris Thackery who shot to fame last year when she shaved her head for Relay For Life.

“I am a firm believer in helping cancer survivors in my capacity – I only wish I could run the Relay,” she said.
It was a light-hearted challenge to the staff – “raise more than $2000 and I’ll shave my head” – that landed Doris in the chair last year.

While the challenge to staff was light-hearted, her commitment to supporting the Cancer Council goes much deeper.  Doris has two daughters who have had cancer, with one currently undergoing treatment on the Main Land.

Doris, who turns 100 on 27 February, will officially launch the Hobart Relay For Life, alongside the Governor Kate Warner, on 17 March.  She will cut the ribbon and take part in the first lap of the oval, which honours cancer survivors and carers.