A Hoppers Crossing family is organising a dinner dance to raise money for the Cancer Council’s Wyndham Relay for Life, after losing three relatives to the illness. 76038 Picture: DAMJAN JANEVSKI
By Alesha Capone
A BRAVE Hoppers Crossing family has banded together to raise money for the Wyndham Relay for Life, after losing three beloved relatives to cancer.
The Blake family, including Dad Peter, Mum Sue, daughter Elisha, son David and niece Janelle, will take part in the annual event at the Victoria University Athletics Track in Werribee on 21 April.
Beforehand, on 31 March, they are holding a fundraising dinner dance at the Grandstar in Altona North.
Every year, the Relay for Life raises funds for the Cancer Council’s research, education and support services.
The Blake family knows how important these services are.
Around three years ago, Mr and Mrs Blake’s youngest daughter, Danielle, tragically passed away from ovarian cancer at only 20 years old.
Janelle, now aged 21, lost her mother Fiona – who was suffering pancreatic cancer – a week after making her deb ball.
In addition, Mrs Blake’s father, John, died from bowel cancer.
The three family members all died within nine months of each other.
Elisha advised families in similar situations to stay strong, something her sister did after being diagnosed with cancer at 19.
“She was one of the strongest people I’ve ever seen go through it, all three of them were, they all lived life to the fullest,” she said.
Mr Blake has appealed for corporate sponsors to make donations to support of his family’s fundraising efforts.
Several of the family members work at Sema in Laverton North, where they last year held a sausage sizzle to raise funds for the relay, while other Wyndham businesses including the Auzone magazine, Shawn’s Swim School and Global Tiger have already contributed to this year’s efforts.
The band ‘The Bald and The Beautiful’ will play for free at the dinner dance. All sponsors of the dinner dance will be advertised on the night and at the Relay for Life.
The family hopes to sell more than 500 tickets for the event, which will be on 7.30am Saturday 31 March at the Grandstar in Altona North.
Contact Janelle on 0400 506 421or Elisha on 0487 102 027 for more information.
