Life Stories Pass On Relay's Spirit
Illawarra Mercury
Saturday May 10, 2008
FROM a Catholic priest with breast cancer to an HSC student in remission from non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, the ambassadors for this year's Illawarra Relay for Life reflect a diversity of survivors.
Father David Catterall joined 17-year-old Jordan Pry and fellow ambassadors Brendan Armstrong and Dr David Greening at the official launch in Crown St Mall yesterday.The 2008 relay will be run on September 20-21, with organisers hoping to raise $200,000 for research.Berry's Brendan Armstrong, 25, was three when diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia."The only happy memories I have from hospital was when I was feeling good and a few kids my age would steal the drips and slide down the corridors until the nurses confined us to our rooms," he said.In October, Mr Armstrong, a mechanical engineer, will mark his 21st year of remission, proof that "there's plenty of life left after people beat leukaemia or cancer".At age 10, Austinmer's Jordan Pry was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. Seven years later, Jordan is studying for his Higher School Certificate."Relay for Life is an awesome foundation trying to raise money and awareness for cancer. So dig deep in your pockets," he told the gathering.Albion Park priest Fr Catterall was 27 when, in 2000, he was told he had breast cancer."Many people associate breast cancer with women, but 1 per cent of people diagnosed are male," Fr Catterall said.But it gave him with an appreciation of what sufferers went through and compelled him to assist in raising awareness.Figtree gynaecologist David Greening, 45, said his diagnosis with melanoma four years ago placed him in a similar position of being able to empathise with others."It's really important that we have cancer research and really important that we raise money for the expense," he said.The Cancer Council's relay target this year is 120 teams of 10-15 people.
© 2008 Illawarra Mercury
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