Best friends’ feet forward

Team Best Foot Forward at the 2016 Cardinia Relay For Life. Picture courtesy Di Price.

By Rebecca Skilton

Following her best friend’s diagnosis of lymphoma in 2007, Julie Smith made the decision to join the Berwick Relay for Life. Now, 10 years on, the Pakenham mother of four is preparing to take part in her 10th relay.
“(My best friend) was 38 when she died,” explained Julie.
“It was what got me into relaying. I’d heard about it, and I said … I want to do this; I want to make a difference.”
While the diagnosis of Julie’s best friend, Julie Vugs, was essentially the turning point for Julie and her relaying career, it was an addition to a list of loved ones who had already suffered at the hands of cancer.
“Back in 1991, we lost my mum (to secondary bone cancer),” explained Julie.
“And in 1998, my brother Chris was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma … he lived for a year.”
Choosing to put a positive spin on her story, Julie and her family have been relaying for 10 years, their efforts including them in the Berwick, Cranbourne and Werribee relays.
“I usually do at least 10 (hours of walking).
“I do the night shifts … so my husband, Gary and I are usually up between 12 and five in the morning and then someone else can come and relieve us.”
“My first one that I did, I walked 75 kilometres. That was for my best friend. I wanted to do 100 laps, but I didn’t get there. I was in First Aid with a big blister.”
Julie’s journey is also reflected in her current Relay for Life team, Best Foot Forward, which consists of 22 family members, friends and work colleagues.
“(When we thought of a name) we wanted something quirky,” explained Julie.
“BFF stands for best friends forever, which we used because my friend had died, and best foot forward just because it’s one foot in front of the other on the track.”
The Cardinia Relay for Life will take place at Pakenham’s Toomuc Reserve on Friday, 24 February.
To donate to team Best Foot Forward, visit: http://fundraising.cancer.org.au