Thursday 27 April 2017 12:15pm
Christchurch campus’ Mackenzie Marvels Relay for Life Team which has raised almost $20,000 for the Cancer Society over the past five years.
A team of cancer researchers from the University’s Christchurch campus has raised almost $20,000 for the Cancer Society over the past five years by dressing up as superheroes and competing in the charity’s Relay for Life event.
The overnight relay event aims to raise money and awareness of the disease, as well as celebrate cancer survivors, carers and those lost to the disease.
"As we are a cancer research group, we wanted to support one of the main charities in the cancer field - the Cancer Society."
The 20-strong ‘Mackenzie Marvels’ team consists of members of the Mackenzie Cancer Research Group and their friends and families. This growing Christchurch-based research group studies all aspects of cancer, with particular focus on translation into the clinic, and how genetic changes give rise to cancer, and how obesity, exercise and vitamin C relate to the growth, spread and treatment of cancer.
Vanessa Lattimore, a former Mackenzie Cancer Research Group PhD student and now research assistant, says this year’s fundraising efforts surpassed all others – thanks in part to the generous support of University staff and students.
“As we are a cancer research group, we wanted to support one of the main charities in the cancer field - the Cancer Society. Previously we have raised around $3,000 per year. The extra effort put in by everyone this year, a growing research group and expanding fundraising experience, collectively lifted the total significantly this year to $7,000.”
This year’s Relay for Life event attracted 47 teams, who collectively raised $44,000, Dr Lattimore says.
As well as an opportunity to support a very important charity, the Relay for Life was a chance to have fun with colleagues outside the work environment, she says.
