Employees from Blackrock Casino will be rolling up their sleeves in support of the annual CANSA Relay for Life happening at Arbour Park Sports Grounds in Newcastle this Saturday, 21 August 2010.

Blackrock Casino has sponsored the medals for the participants in this year’s relay and a team of employees will also be participating in the race. Blackrock Casino-branded merchandise such as T-shirts, key holders, water bottles, 6 can coolers and pen & pencil sets will be sold throughout the course of the evening and 10% of the proceeds of all sales will be donated to CANSA.

This is the third consecutive year that Blackrock Casino has supported this CANSA initiative which is part of an international movement that unites cancer survivors and the communities that care about them.

CANSA Relay for Life is a fun, spirit-building fundraising event that aims to raise awareness of cancer. It’s an overnight relay that kicks-off at 6pm on Saturday and ends at 6am the following morning. The event opens with a Survivor’s Lap of Honour, which is followed by a Caregiver’s Lap of Honour for people who care for and support cancer patients. Registered teams from the community then take to the track in groups of 10 to 15 and relay throughout the night.

After sunset candles are lit in luminaria bags that encircle the track and a Candlelight Ceremony of HOPE takes place. These Luminaria bags are decorated by survivors and community members with messages of remembrance of those who have lost the battle with cancer, and messages of hope for those who continue to fight.

“Cancer is a disease that affects millions of people worldwide and obviously there is a significant need to drive awareness of the disease and the importance of early diagnosis. The CANSA Relay for Life not only serves to raise awareness of cancer but also serves to send out a message of hope to those who are afflicted with the disease, including cancer patients, their families, friends and colleagues.

“We are proud to once again be part of this event as it is a meaningful and fun way for Blackrock Casino and its staff to show its support for CANSA and its drive to increase awareness of cancer. Most importantly, it is a way for us to pay tribute to cancer patients and all those who support them for continuing to fight the disease,” says John McGregor, general manager of Blackrock Casino, Hotel and Entertainment Complex.

For more information on Blackrock Casino, Hotel and Entertainment Complex please visit www.blackrockcasino.co.za