There was a great turnout for the Balloon Release in aid of the Cancer Awareness Programmme– Relay for Life– at the Mansion House. The Lord Mayor Councillor Vincent Jackson hosted the Release.

The Balloon Release was one of the many events which were held in the Pearse Street Community area over the last few months as part of this awareness programme.

A message of faith, love and hope from those who have been touched by cancer and also in memory of those have died and those who have are still fighting the battle was placed inside each balloon.

The messages in the 300 purple balloons were written by families, friends and neighbours in memory of loved ones who had passed away from cancer.

The Relay for Life is all about raising awareness of cancer. There are 120,000 cancer survivors in the Republic and thousands more are affected by the loss of loved ones through this disease.

Over the past few months the Community in Pearse Street and other Docklands areas, along with the Irish Cancer Society have been running events to raise awareness and to support home care services and research.

The Relay For Life took place on Saturday the 7th October at Custom House Quay, CHQ Building, Georges Quay from 6 pm to 6 am the following morning.

Filmmaker and cancer survivor Peter Sheridan launched the event. There was a Service of Light and Hope at 9.00 pm where people dedicated a candle to someone they love or know who is affected by cancer.

Cancer Helpline 1800200700, Action Breast Cancer 1800309040, Smoking Quitline 1850201203, Prostate Cancer Information Service 1800380380. Irish Cancer Society, 43/45 Northumberland Road, Dublin 4. Tel: 2310500.