CANCER survivors from across Gwent are invited to attend a special event in Torfaen in the build-up to the second Relay for Life in Pontypool Park.

The Cancer Research UK awareness event takes place over 24 hours, starting on Saturday, July 15, and going through the night and finishing on Sunday, July 16.

One of the key moments of the day-long event is the lighting of candles in memory of those who lost their battles with cancer, as night draws in.

Members of the survivorship team are appealing for members of the public who have beaten cancer, or know someone who has, to attend a survivors meeting in Pontnewynydd on Sunday, June 4.

Deb Richardson, the joint chairwoman of the survivorship team, said: “The relay showed me I wasn’t alone in my fight. It showed me how many other people were fighting this terrible disease and how many people are willing to give up their time to raise money to fight it.

“It helped bring our community together in a fun way for a serious topic. It helped to create a network of like-minded people to help me face cancer and know that I am not alone.”

“Throughout my six months of treatment I have self-administered my own medication as an outpatient and had two stays in hospital for high dose chemo and a stem cell transplant.

“Throughout my treatment all the staff at all three hospitals I have been treated in have been wonderful.

“They are so supportive and compassionate.

“My cancer is multiple myeloma it is an incurable but treatable cancer and with the help of Cancer Research UK they have helped fund trials for it.”

The inaugural event in 2016 raised £61,086, becoming one of the most successful first-time events in the charity’s history.

Sarah Pritchard, a survivor from Pontypool, said: “Last year’s event was a fabulous experience. It was emotional to see just how many people came together to raise a fantastic amount of money for Cancer Research.

“Cancer has touched my life and the lives of so many people, and it’s that research which has kept me alive.”

Teams of between eight to 15 people, of all ages and fitness levels can take part in the Relay for Life. The survivors meeting is at 2.30pm in The Ebenezer Centre.