Gakowski family named patrons for Relay

HE was kind, his spirit was strong and even after death, Sheldon Gakowski’s legacy lives on.

AN HONOUR: Suzanne Gakowski and her sons, Krystopher, 10, and twins Matthew and Lukas, 9 are proud to be patrons of this year’s Relay for Life. Picture: Louise Starkey

HE was kind, his spirit was strong and even after death, Sheldon Gakowski's legacy lives on.

The Gakowski family, who lost their hero to a rare form of stomach cancer, have been given the chance to walk on his behalf, and for all those affected by cancer.

Suzanne Gakowski and her sons, Krystopher, 10, and twins Matthew and Lukas, 9, have been named patrons of the 2016 Relay for Life.

They, with the support of many others, will walk laps during the 18-hour event at Harrup Park on May 21-22 to raise funds and awareness of the fight against cancer.

Mrs Gakowski hopes her sons will hand on their father's "Spirit of Relay" award, presented to Mr Gakowski at last year's relay. Her family's "Kindness Wins" team was named to commemorate him.

"There are some really dark, pain-chilled nights in the cancer battle and having people there relaying with you reflects that," Mrs Gakowski said.

"When you're tired and you think you cannot go on, someone comes beside you and helps you do another lap... That's the reflection of how we felt in the last three years of our cancer journey."

Mrs Gakowski said her sons were determined to have at least one family member walking around the track the entire time.

"For them, having a future cancer free - where cancer is a chronic illness, not a terminal illness - is something they truly believe in. I'm really excited to see them as they grown up, not scared or destroyed by losing their Dad to cancer, as they have his spirit."

To support...

Join the Gakowski family's 'Support Sheldon and Suzanne's Journey' Facebook page and take part in the 2016 Relay for Life.

Originally published as Gakowski family named patrons for Relay