Relay For Life

Relay For Life is the signature fund-raising event of the American Cancer Society. It is an overnight event designed to celebrate survivorship and raise money for research and programs of the American Cancer Society.

Event Summary

During the event, teams of people gather at schools, fairgrounds, or parks and take turns walking or running laps. Each team tries to keep at least one team member on the track at all times. Donations are made for each team member as they walk the track. Team totals are compared and prizes are awarded.

History

In the mid-1980s, Dr. Gordy Klatt, a Tacoma colorectal surgeon, wanted to enhance the income of his local American Cancer Society office. He decided to personally raise money for the fight by doing something he enjoyed—running marathons.

In May 1985, Dr. Klatt spent a grueling 24 hours circling the track at Baker Stadium at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma for more than 83 miles. Throughout the night, friends paid $25 to run or walk 30 minutes with him. He raised $27,000 to fight cancer. That first year, nearly 300 of Dr. Klatt's friends, family, and patients watched as he ran and walked the course.

While he circled the track those 24 hours, he thought about how others could take part. He envisioned a 24-hour team relay event that could raise more money to fight cancer. Months later he pulled together a small committee to plan the first team relay event known as the City of Destiny Classic 24-Hour Run Against Cancer.

In 1986, 19 teams took part in the first team relay event on the track at the colorful, historical Stadium Bowl and raised $33,000. An indescribable spirit prevailed at the track and in the tents that dotted the infield.

Locations

Relay For Life Events are now held in over 8,000 locations across the United States. To locate a Relay For Life Event near you [Click Here to Search by Zipcode]http://www.cancer.org/docroot/gi/gi_1.asp. Relay For Life is also starting to spread globaly. Relays are operating or planned in Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the Philippines, Portugal, South Africa, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, and Venezuela.

The International Relay program enables cancer leagues around the world to increase their visibility and generate cancer awareness, outreach, and income while building survivorship, volunteerism, and advocacy efforts in their communities. The Society works with in partnership with the Union Internationale Contre le Cancer (UICC) to train and support leagues to launch sustainable community-based Relay For Life programs.

In December 2003, the American Cancer Society, in cooperation with the Union Internationale Contre le Cancer (UICC), joined together with Sanofi Aventis Global Oncology to expand the Society’s signature program, Relay For Life, into countries throughout western Europe. The goal for this three-year partnership is to work with European cancer leagues to leverage the Society Relay expertise and build cancer awareness and community events in multiple countries.

Cancer leagues begin their training for Relay For Life by coming to the United States for comprehensive classroom instruction to learn about the philosophy, standards, and logistics for planning and launching Relay events in their communities. These US trainings are held in conjunction with a local Relay For Life event in selected cities. International trainees experience the magic of Relay firsthand and are taught best practices by volunteers and staff who organize the local events. SEE a summary and photo of a recent international training in Miami, Florida.

Following the US-based trainings, cancer leagues receive in-country trainings to share experiences and ideas with other cancer control professionals in their region. In the summer of 2005, the Society and Cancer Research UK will conduct a training in the United Kingdom held in conjunction with a local Relay event.