Relay for Life: Survivor’s tale
Ten years after Relay for Life started, cancer survivor Shirley Harrison is still going strong at the annual event in Hamilton.
A 70-year-old cancer survivor fought back against the illness at the Relay for Life in Hamilton this weekend for the 10th year in a row.
Shirley Harrison has attended every event since it started, and says she met some supportive people who shared a similar story.
Harrison attended the survivor celebrations at the event, held at AgResearch Ruakura, which included walking the opening lap as a proud survivor.
Harrison was 63 years old when she was diagnosed with breast cancer and was shocked to hear she may only have five years to live.
“I didn’t think I would get to hear my grandchildren call me grandma,” she said.
The Relay for Life, an annual event that celebrates cancer survivors and honours those who have died of cancer, helped Harrison realise that fighting the illness is an achievement.
Cancer affects one in three New Zealanders but Harrison said “you don’t realise so many other people have it” until you get it yourself.
Cancer Society’s communications and events assistant for Waikato and Bay of Plenty, Sarah Fitzpatrick, said more than 200 survivors registered in this year’s relay.
Seventeen years after she was diagnosed, Harrison looks back on her journey positively, saying she has “made some fantastic friends. They [have all] travelled the same road and supported each other.”
Harrison now volunteers at the Waikato Hospital oncology department reception and runs a Women’s Cancer Support Group.
