It is almost two years since Birgit Vallestrand told about the cancer in Fredriksstad Blad. She was diagnosed with breast cancer shortly after she had started her job as national team manager for the national gymnastics team.
Since then, she has been through tough cancer treatment, was declared cancer-free – and received the heavy news that the cancer had returned.
Now she and her family are once again in a very tough fight.
In the midst of this, Vallestrand has chosen to front the Cancer Association’s Relay for Life in Fredrikstad.
She is at work and goes to an interview with a summer brown, gentle face. At the same time, the disease is ravaging the body, although there are probably many who do not know that she has relapsed.
– Being at work and getting involved in the gymnastics association as much as I can gives me energy and joy, she explains.
Important symbolism
Birgit Vallestrand is a familiar face to many in Fredrikstad through her passionate commitment to sport, and especially the Nedre Glomma turn. When the gymnastics association in her heart now provides a separate relay team to support and honor her, it means a lot to the fiery soul.
– This 24-hour relay is important, because it symbolizes that cancer never takes a break. We who stand in it, live with it 24 hours a day together with our families. We never get a break. I am very moved that Nedre Glomma Turn is showing its support through this relay team, and if other gymnastics associations also participate, that is absolutely great, says Vallestrand to Fredriksstad Blad.
We are standing in Kirkeparken, where Relay for Life will be organized on 10-11. September. Vallestrand is flanked by Lasse Hauser and Ann Marthe Storehjelm from the gymnastics association.
– Birgit has given and gives an enormous amount to our club and we would very much like to show our support to both her and her family, who are now in this tough fight, says Hauser.
– Moreover, it is unfortunately the case that many others are in similar situations. Our club has around 1,100 members, and many of them probably know someone who has or has had cancer, says Storehjelm, and continues:
– We would like to create transparency around this and show that in the club you get support even in difficult periods.
The trio also think it’s nice that the event promotes physical activity and being out in the fresh air.
– A little activity is better than no activity, and as a cancer patient, physical activity can be life-prolonging. Exercising is good for both our physical and mental health, Vallestrand points out.
Hoping for several thousand participants
Dag Solheim and Alf Haugen at the Cancer Society are happy that Vallestrand is running for the relay.
– Birgit has a very high star in the gymnastics environment in Norway, and I know that she inspires many in this environment to participate in Relay for Life, says the local relay leader, Alf Haugen.
At the time of writing, 16 teams are registered for the relay. The hope is that several thousand people will participate in the relay on 10-11. September. Relay for Life is organized in 14 places in Norway this year, and in Fredrikstad this year’s edition is the very first.
– Each team can decide for itself how many participants the team will consist of, but since the relay runs for 24 hours, there is probably an advantage with a double-digit number of registered participants per team, says Alf Haugen.
You can walk, run, jog or use a wheelchair. The relay is not about finishing first. The only requirement is that at least one participant on the team must be present on the field at all times while the relay is in progress.
Relay for Life is organized the same weekend as Culture Night. The pavilion in Kirkeparken will be decorated and here there will be entertainment from cultural and sporting life throughout the 24-hour relay.
This is how Relay for Life takes place
- For an entire day, people walk or run in support of all those affected by cancer.
- The relay symbolizes the struggle a cancer patient goes through and visualizes that there should always be someone on the field for the person who is ill.
- The event is a relay with teams of different sizes, where the participants do not walk or run against each other, but with each other.
- The event starts with a fighter round. Fighters are the relays’ guests of honor – those who themselves have or have had cancer. The local community cheers and pays tribute to its fighters, which together go the first round around the track.
- For the next 24 hours, the relay goes around the track. Each team undertakes to have at least one participant on the field at all times.
- When darkness falls, the music, light and activity level in the area are muted. All participants gather for a joint lighting ceremony. During the lighting ceremony, the participants remember those they have lost and show their support for those who are standing in the storm now.
- After one day has passed, all participants, volunteers and organizers gather for a joint closing and celebration.
- Various activities will also be organized during the 24 hours the relay lasts. For example, entertainment, information stands about cancer and various fundraising activities will generate income for the Cancer Society.
- Registration takes place via the Cancer Association’s website. You will also find a lot of information on the local relay’s Facebook page.
Source: The Norwegian Cancer Society
In addition, Fredrikstad Cathedral will be open for those who need a quiet moment or some rest.
– Bishop Kari Mangrud Alvsvåg will also participate, but it is important to clarify that the event is ideologically neutral, says Alf Haugen.
There is no cost to participate in the relay, but both participants and the public will have several opportunities to make a contribution to the Norwegian Cancer Society.
– Among other things, we will have a lighting ceremony. You can buy a light bag and decorate it with a greeting. Then we place battery-powered lights in the bags, explains Haugen.
– Otherwise, there will be sales of food, drink and other items for income for the cancer cause. The teams are also free to organize other types of fundraising in connection with the event.
