A cancer survivor encouraged people today to take part in a major fundraising event and unite in the fight against the disease.

Ernest Signor Sr, one of two Heroes of Hope for this year’s Relay For Life, said he felt that beating cancer has given him a second chance at life.

“Because I have been given another chance, I need to celebrate and appreciate life. What better time to do that than through Relay For Life?

“[The event] is really about stepping outside our personal selves in order to help each other.”

Mr Signor, who was speaking at the official launch of this year’s event at the Washington Mall, added: “It is about us uniting for the fight against cancer, as we continue to empower Bermuda with hopes that we can be a testimony to the rest of the world that we are united.”

Relay For Life, an international event, raises money for early detection and treatment against cancer.

Every Relay around the world nominates one or more “Heroes of Hope” each year, who share their stories and support people whose lives have been affected by cancer.

Along with Mr Signor, Cavon Burchall, another survivor, was nominated as Bermuda’s other hero.

Deborah Titterton-Narraway, the event chair for Relay for Life which is celebrating its tenth anniversary in Bermuda, said: “All our Heroes of Hope happened to be cancer survivors.

“Last year, we nominated two gentlemen who really stepped up and started sharing.

“A number of men have gone to doctors’ appointments and followed up on their healthcare more because of these gentlemen, so we really wanted to keep spreading that message.”

Event co-chairwoman Azuree Williams said: “Of course, participants can expect something different this year. It’s the tenth anniversary, so we have a few surprises lined up and we don’t want to reveal everything, but the programme will be finalised on our website in May.”

After the launch, volunteers and supporters led a motorcade through Hamilton, which ended at Seon Place, the headquarters of Relay’s title sponsor, Liberty Mutual Insurance.

The company has been sponsoring the event, alongside the Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre, since its 2014 inception.

Steve Horton, the president of Liberty Mutual Bermuda, said: “We are an insurance carrier, but we are made up of people, and everyone gets impacted at some point by cancer, so when I look at those early years, it was about fundraising.

“But as we go over time, the impact to all of us becomes more significant through family members getting cancer, those who are caregivers now, so it really sets a chord within my community at Liberty and the broader community in Bermuda.”

A pop-up shop, where people can learn more about the event and how they can take part, as well as speak with cancer survivors, opened this afternoon and will be in the mall until Friday, from 10am until 3pm.

This year’s Relay For Life will be held on May 12 and 13 at the North Field of the National Stadium’s.

People can visit here to register their team or join an existing one. All teams must be registered by April 30.