Ipswich fundraising family raises $160k for cancer research, prevention

Three generations of an Ipswich family have raised more than $160,000 for cancer research in 17 years. FULL STORY:

An Ipswich family has single-handedly raised more than $160,000 for the Cancer Council through fundraising events and activities.

Tarana Cruice and her husband Roland, both from Tivoli, have been raising funds for cancer research, prevention, information and support services for 17 years, along with their children and grandchildren.

Their relay team, Aussies against Cancer, raised $11,525 for the Cancer Council on Saturday at an Ipswich fundraising event called Relay for Life, where they and other participants walked around the Bill Paterson Oval from 2pm until evening.

“We’ve got 16 grandchildren, and most of them have grown up on the relay field,” Ms Cruice said.

“They’ve been pushed around (the track) in prams.”

Roland and Tarana Cruice at the Ipswich Relay for Life on Saturday. Picture: Jessica Baker

The much-loved Ipswich fundraiser was hosted by Relay for Life volunteers and saw nearly 200 people in 20 teams take turns walking around a track to recognise and celebrate local cancer survivors, patients, and their carers, and to honour loved ones lost.

Participants have so far raised more than $32,000.

Ms Cruice and her husband participated in their first Relay for Life 17 years ago, after attending an event the year prior in support of their friends who lost their son to cancer.

Since then, they have participated in every annual relay event at Ipswich and hosted countless events at their own home to raise funds for the Cancer Council.

They have had high teas in their backyard, games days, golf days, and Christmas events, all through which the family have raised more than $160,000.

Ms Cruice said it was great to come together with others to raise money for an important cause.

“When we first started off our team was cancer-free,” she said.

“But since then we have had a few friends who have cancer and you just think, ‘well if you can keep going and doing something, you can make a difference’.”

The family have been raising money for cancer research all year long and have no plans of stopping.

If you would like to donate to Relay for Life, click here.