Cancer Society Southern community funding-campaign lead Emma Anderson said 124 teams involving about 1200 people had signed up to participate in the event, which aimed to celebrate cancer survivors and carers, remember loved ones lost to cancer, and fight back by raising awareness and funds. As of Wednesday, the fundraising total had surpassed $128,000 — well on the way towards the event’s fundraising goal of $200,000.
“We are close to a full house, all the team sites are allocated, so it’s going to be huge,” Ms Anderson said.
“It’s great to be filling the stadium with our community for relay — it’s going to be a fantastic event.”
Members of the public were welcome to come along to the stadium and soak up the atmosphere, she said. Cancer navigator Angela Melrose said everyone involved in Relay for Life had been affected by cancer in some way, “so it is a wonderful way to bring people together in a supportive, caring way, that is also filled with fun and joy”.
“People who haven’t attended relay before may feel a bit apprehensive, but they soon realise that it is a place of love, togetherness and mutual support,” Ms Melrose said.
“It’s good for everyone, wherever they are on their cancer journey, to come and be a part of this community.”
The Dunedin Relay for Life is the fourth and final relay to be held this year, with previous events held in Southland, Mid-Canterbury and Christchurch — raising $120,000, $180,000, and $82,000 respectively. The funds go towards supporting Cancer Society programmes, as well as funding cancer research. At present the Cancer Society has provided $4.7 million in grants to New Zealand cancer researchers.
Relay for Life details
The 2026 Dunedin Relay for Life will open at 10am this Saturday with a ceremony, at which ambassadors Jayne Jepson and Andrew Petrie, will read the oath, before leading the first lap — a celebration of cancer survivors and carers. This will be followed by a celebration morning tea for survivors and carers.
At 10.30am, barbers from Bloke Barbers will lead a “Chop the Mop” session for those who wish to shave their heads in support of people affected by cancer. Relay teams will spend the day on the track, cheered on by supporters, keeping their batons moving to symbolise the community’s fight against cancer. To keep the energy high, there will be musical entertainment from local performers including DJ Ben McMorran, bands One Day, Hunky Dory, Clusterfunk, and Doctor Wazoo, as well as a fun zumba session with Outram Zumba and exercise classes run by NRG Dunedin.
At 7pm, the candlelight ceremony will be held, at which the ambassadors Mrs Jepson, Mr Petrie and researcher Judy Ann Cocadiz will speak and musician Paige Millburn will perform.
This will be followed by a silent lap of remembrance for relay participants while a slideshow of images of loved ones lost to cancer plays on the big screens. The Relay for Life Dunedin will end on a high with an upbeat closing ceremony at 10pm. Mitre 10 Mega Dunedin returns as the ‘‘major partner’’ sponsor for Relay for Life Dunedin and is offering prizes for the highest fundraising teams from the community and schools, as well as the best-dressed site. There will be food trucks and coffee available.
