Walking for life

Photo: SHANE WENZLICK

SUPPORTIVE STEPS: Pauline Gill will be striding out with her Blister Sister team-mates at the Cancer Society’s Relay 4 Life.

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Drury resident Pauline Gill has battled breast cancer and won - twice.

And next weekend she's hitting the track to support others who are living with the effects of the life-changing illness.

Mrs Gill’s captaining a 20-strong team taking part in the Cancer Society’s annual Relay 4 Life.

Called the Blister Sisters, the team is made up of her Busting for Life dragon boating team-mates, people from her water aerobics class, friends and family.

Even her seven-year-old granddaughter and four-year-old grandson plan to show their support by taking part in the relay.

For 18 hours the team will be one of many walking or running their way around the athletics track at Mt Smart Stadium.

Indeed Mrs Gill’s team takes its name from the fact everyone expects they’ll be nursing blisters by the time the last person crosses the finish line.

"Having been through cancer twice and losing my mum and dad to cancer it’s very much a big thing in my life.

"I want to raise awareness, funds and help find a cure," she says.

Taking part in the relay and helping cancer related organisations like the Cancer Society and Look Good Feel Better is "just doing my bit".

Relay 4 Life is a community event that celebrates cancer survivors and remembers those who have lost their fight against the disease that kills about 8000 New Zealanders a year.

The event is held at the Mt Smart Stadium on February 20 to 21 and the Millennium Institute of Sport on February 27 to 28.

Part of the event is a survivors and
carers lap of honour that starts at 4pm on February 20.

Visit www.relayforlife.org.nz for more information and to register a team.

- © Fairfax NZ News