Relay For Life of Bermuda To Hold Second Event

March 18, 2015

One of the Island’s leading insurance companies has become a major sponsor of a 24-hour event aimed at raising money to improve access to cancer treatment in Bermuda.

Relay For Life of Bermuda will stage its second event in Bermuda this year – after raising an incredible $450,000 at its inaugural event last May.

Colonial Group International has now come on board to provide $25,000 in sponsorship for the event which involves relay teams walking for a total of 24 hours around the track at the National Stadium’s, North Field.

Ron Spencer III, Business Development/Account Management at Colonial, who is the founder of Relay For Life of Bermuda, was inspired to bring Relay For Life to Bermuda, in conjunction with the Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre, after his mother died of cancer in 2008, the first time he had encountered the illness.

He said the mission of Relay For Life of Bermuda was to raise awareness and funds to support cancer prevention and detection and to improve access to treatment with the local establishment of radiation therapy.

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“Last year I saw people taking part in the event that I never knew had cancer or had beaten cancer. So many people turned out for the event, it was amazing to see so much support and hear of so many moving stories.

“Last year many people and sponsors came and set up tents. This year we expected a complete village. It will be a 24-hour community fair.

“Three words that describe the event are Celebrate, Remember and Fight Back. Celebrate survivors for what they have overcome, remember those lost to the disease and those fighting the disease and fight back and inspire participants to take action against a disease that has taken too much toll,” added Mr Spencer.

“We want to support Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre which is helping people in our community to stay well and get well. Ninety-five percent of all funds raised will remain in Bermuda with five percent funds going to American Cancer Society’s Global Relay For Life to assist in the global fight against cancer.”

One of the features of the event is the ‘purple couch’ where people speak of why they are taking part and what the event means to them.

Relay For Life of Bermuda’s first Purple Couch 2014

Mr Spencer added: “The stories that came from the purple couch were very personal and very moving. They really summed up what the event was all about.

“I would really like to thank Colonial for becoming a Platinum Sponsor and I would also like to thank Ironshore, which was our main sponsor last year and which continues to be our main sponsor this year.”

Alan Peacock, President and CEO of Colonial Group International said: “Virtually everyone knows someone who has had or who is being treated for cancer. What Ron, and the amazing group of Relay Volunteers and Committee Members, have achieved in such a short space of time is quite remarkable and we are absolutely delighted to be able to help.”

The event is due to be staged on May 29 and 30. The event will start promptly at 6.30 pm Friday [May 29] and end at 6.30 pm the following day. Gates will open early, so that teams can prepare their camp sites in order to be prepared for the prompt kick off. Teams can be between 12 and 15 people and each person has to raise at least $100.

More details can be found at the Relay For Life of Bermuda website or people can follow on Facebook or Twitter.

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  1. Anne Hyde says:

    We are really looking forward to participating again this year! We are The Lifesavers team!

    This is an awesome community event and the funds raised go a long way toward providing EVERY PERSON in Bermuda (including the uninsured and under-insured) access to cancer information, screenings, and treatments. My cancer was detected early thanks to the wonderful folks at Bda Cancer & Health and I’m so pleased to be alive, cancer-free and able to give back to this worthy cause!