Dundalk woman and three-time cancer survivor urges Louth community to ‘Relay For Life’

Three-time cancer survivor and Dundalk local Patrina Taylor (70) is encouraging people across Louth to come along to Relay For Life at Dundalk Stadium,  from 2pm on the 12th of September until 2pm on the 13th of September.

The community is being invited to come along to the 24-hour event which is in aid of the Irish Cancer Society.

Relay For Life brings the local community together to celebrate cancer survivors and remember those who have been lost to cancer.

Participants team up and take it in turns to walk through the day and night, with someone always on the move during the 24-hour period.

A key feature of every Relay For Life is the survivors’ lap, where cancer survivors who have lived or are living with cancer are invited to open the event with a special celebratory lap of their local Relay track.

A moving Candle of Hope ceremony is one of the main highlights of Relay For Life.

Thousands of candle bags that have been personalised with messages of hope and remembrance illuminate the Relay track in celebration of cancer survivorship and to honour loved ones lost to cancer.

The uplifting Relay For Life event also features entertainment and fun for all the family.

The funds raised at Relay For Life are essential to enable the Irish Cancer Society to provide free, vital support services to people affected by cancer across Ireland and to fuel ground-breaking cancer research.

Three-time cancer survivor Patrina Taylor shares how cancer has impacted her and her daughter, Anne, who is also a cancer survivor: “I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009. It was found through BreastCheck. I had a mammogram, and they sent me a letter afterwards saying something had been found.

“They found two lumps, but they were caught early so I didn’t have to have chemo. I had radiotherapy and a mastectomy with reconstruction. I know I’m one of the lucky ones, because it was caught early.

“I had half a lung removed in 2019 because they found nodules. Three years ago, basal cell carcinoma was removed from my face. They took that off, and it’s all been going well since then.

“And my daughter Anne was diagnosed with cancer in her sternum a few years ago. She has three children, and I remember I was devastated when she was diagnosed. The tumour was removed and her sternum was reconstructed with titanium, and she’s doing really well now.”

The upcoming Relay For Life Dundalk will be the first time the event has been held in the town since the last one 11 years ago. The revival of Relay For Life Dundalk is particularly meaningful as, in 2009, Dundalk became the first place in Ireland to host a Relay For Life. It will also be a special occasion for Patrina, as it’s the first time she will do the survivors’ lap alongside her daughter.

Commenting on what it means to do the survivors’ lap alongside her daughter, and her excitement about Relay for Life coming back to Dundalk, Patrina said: “This will be the first time that my daughter and I will walk the survivors’ lap together – my daughter’s cancer diagnosis came about in the years since the last Relay For Life Dundalk.

“It’ll be great to walk around the track with other people who have survived cancer. It’s a great moment for people who have lived with or are currently living with cancer to come together.

“It reminds you that we’re not just numbers or statistics, we’re real people with our own experiences of cancer who have come together to support each other, to celebrate survivors and to remember those we’ve lost.

“It’s very meaningful, and it will be a fun day out for everyone. I’ve missed the buzz of Relay and the atmosphere of the community coming together. I’m delighted that it’s being brought back to Dundalk – where the first Relay For Life in Ireland was held.”

Ciara Hughes, Relay For Life Campaign Manager at the Irish Cancer Society, said: “People across the country have always enthusiastically supported Relay For Life, and in doing so they generously support the vital services provided by the Irish Cancer Society to ensure that no one in Ireland has to face cancer alone.

“We’re delighted that Relay For Life is returning to Dundalk this year, the home of the first ever Relay For Life event in Ireland. We encourage everyone to come along to this year's event, which gives people in the area the opportunity to remember their loved ones and celebrate survivors within their community.”

People are welcome to come along to Relay For Life Dundalk at any time from 2pm on the 12th of September until 2pm on the 13th of September. If you’d like to purchase a candle bag or find out more information, visit https://www.relayforlife.ie/event/dundalk