Cr Gaedtke offers her support to Somerset Relay for Life – 2019 News Item

Cr Gaedtke offers her support to Somerset Relay for Life –  2019 –  A Cancer Council Qld Fund Raising Initiative

Cr Gaedtke has been a strong advocator for Relay for Life events over the last four years, and especially since Kilcoy hosted two successful events in 2015 and 2016.  The Somerset Relay for Life 2015 resulted in a total of fifteen teams taking part and raised an amount of around $35,500.  The Somerset Relay for Life 2016 resulted in a total of eleven teams taking part and raised an amount of around $23,500, with a combined resulted in approximately $59,000 being raised from the small community of Kilcoy over two years.

Cr Gaedtke explained that “Relay for Life is a chance for communities to recognise and celebrate those who have overcome cancer or are undergoing treatment, as well as the people who care for them.  Relay also provides an opportunity to celebrate the memory of loved ones lost to cancer”.

Both Kilcoy events developed into a great community social event.  The events included activities such as fun games, selling of goods, a live band, and an atmosphere of joyfulness.  The event also has a serious side with the first lap of Relay honouring cancer Survivors and Carers.  Darkness is symbolic of the fear that a patient feels when diagnosed.  After sunset, we light candlebags to remember those we have lost, celebrate cancer Survivors and to show those affected by cancer that they are not alone. Cr Gaedtke said “that from a personal experience; this part of the event is very emotional and also comforting to many, as we all share special memories of lost loved ones”.

The success of the event relies on the strength of the Relay Organising Committee and the number of competing teams.  There is now an option to organise a shorter relay duration of nine hours, instead of the traditional eighteen-hour event.  Kilcoy hosted both events around the eighteen-hour timelines.  The longer events generally require the competitors to camp overnight at the event venue.

This event is not a Council run event, Cr Gaedtke is merely supporting the event in her capacity as both a community member of our beautiful region and a Councillor. Cr Gaedtke is advocating for a Relay for Life in the Southern part of our region and she also sees the potential to include a twist to this particular event by including the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail.  Cr Gaedtke asks “Are you willing to take part in this important fund-raising initiative of Cancer Council Qld”?