The donations are still coming in from the Southland Relay For Life held almost two weeks ago.

Otago Southland Cancer Society southern community manager Gavin Booth said they well and truly smashed their target of $100,000 this year.

By 5pm on March 14 during the ILT Stadium Southland 12-hour event, the target had been met and continued to climb, and it was currently sitting at $117,000.

“It just shows Southland at its best,” he said, with the funding going towards vital support for those suffering from cancer.

And it’s still not too late to donate to your favourite team or individual relayforlife.org.nz

Held every two years, this year’s Southland event attracted 64 teams, made up of businesses, schools and community groups - bringing young and old together.

Starting with the ‘opening lap’ led by those who have survived the disease and their supporters, 18 people walked for the entire 12-hours, and at 6pm that night there was a candlelight ceremony in silence to remember those who have died.

“It was just so moving and emotional,” Gavin said.

“Everyone who was there was affected by cancer in some way.  People’s ‘why’ was so evident on the day.  There was so much energy in the room.”

One in three New Zealanders will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime – and when that happens, the Cancer Society is there with counselling, free transport to treatment, accommodation for families, prevention programmes and life-saving research.

While there are chemotherapy services in the south, many people have to travel to Dunedin for radiation treatment, and the Cancer Society can help people tap into national funding assistance or travel costs.

For those wanting to carry on with the next Relay For Life, the next event is in Dunedin at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Saturday May 2.

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