YARRAVILLE Rotary members will know Newport Athletics Track like the back of their hand by 10am Saturday morning.

The club will be one of 20 teams struggling to keep their eyes open in the wee hours of the morning as they raise money for the Cancer Council’s annual Relay for Life.

Cancer survivors and their carers will kick off the relay at 4pm this Friday in a cer-emonial first lap before the rest of the team join in for the 18-hour event.

This is the first year Yarraville Rotary has participated.

Two-time cancer survivor and team captain Gerard White said the relay was a chance to help other suffers overcome the disease.

“Only 70 years ago, cancer was considered a death sentence, but I’m living proof that this is no longer the case,” Mr White said.

“People who live with cancer live with cancer 24 hours a day, so that’s why we walk for nearly 24 hours.”

The groups will hold a candlelight vigil at 9pm to remember those who haven’t survived the disease.

Participants will write messages of love on the candle bags, which will light the track.

Last year the groups using the Newport Track raised $56,000.

For more information call 1300 65 65 85 or visit www.hobsonsbayrelay.com.