All the action from the Hobart Relay For Life at the Domain Athletics Centre

Being diagnosed with a rare cancer would be anything but a laugh for most, but survivor Catherine Hevey shares why she brought her sense of humour to Hobart’s Relay for Life.

Cancer survivor Catherine Hevey with mum Fiona Hevey and sister Laura Hevey from team Sense of Tumour and took part in the Hobart Relay for Life. Catherine is a survivor of Ewing's sarcoma and has been in remission for almost four years. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

The Cancer Council Tasmania believes it will raise more than $200,000 after around 1300 people participated in this year’s Hobart Relay for Life.

The event took place at the Domain Athletics Centre over the weekend, and teams walked day and night for the annual fundraiser.

This year also marked the 25th anniversary of Relay For Life.

Catherine Hevey’s relay team, Sense of Tumour, was awarded the best theme prize at the event for their bright yellow outfits.

“A lot of people think yellow is daffodils, but we’ve gone sunflowers because it’s associated with Ewing Sarcoma,” Ms Hevey said.

“It’s a very rare, very aggressive soft tissue and bone cancer.

“It’s actually a children’s cancer, but I was 29 when I got it – so I should have been too old to have it – and they finally realised what it was after eight weeks.”

Ms Hevey said her relay team’s name was a play on words.

“Cancer is not a great card to be dealt, but I sort of got through it being myself.

“I laugh everything off – and I like to have a laugh – so that’s where the name came from, along with the yellow sunflowers.”

Relay For Life event organiser Eliza Hesketh declared this year’s iteration a success.

“Relay is such a good chance to come together with our community and celebrate, remember and fight back – which is our relay motto,” event organiser Eliza Hesketh said.

“It’s just awesome to see everyone here together just absolutely slogging it out. It’s a very uniting thing.

“It instils a lot of hope in people as well, I think.”

Cancer survivor Catherine Hevey with mum Fiona Hevey and sister Laura Hevey from team Sense of Tumour and took part in the Hobart Relay for Life. Catherine is a survivor of Ewing's sarcoma and has been in remission for almost four years. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Ms Hesketh said numbers were up in 2025 from previous years.

“This year was a massive reuptake, and we saw lots of teams coming back – and lots of new teams – so we’re really happy with our participant numbers.

“I think Covid had a lot to do with the declining numbers and just the cost of living situation.

“But being our 25th anniversary, we encouraged people to come back and celebrate with us, which was a bit of a drawcard this year.”

Cancer Council Tasmania CEO Alison Lai said funds raised from events like Relay For Life were vital for the organisation to continue.

“Every day, more than 11 Tasmanians are diagnosed with cancer, making our work in Tasmania vital to the health of our community.

“We are here for all Tasmanians who turn to us for support.

“Whether this is one-on-one emotional support, group sessions or transporting people to their treatment appointment.”

Originally published as All the action from the Hobart Relay For Life at the Domain Athletics Centre