THE RELAY EXPERIENCE
1. Pre-event Fundraising
From Facebook Fundraisers to the FUNdraising App, there are plenty of fun ways to raise funds and awareness well before your Relay For Life event.
2. Opening Ceremony
At the start of your in person or virtual Relay event, an opening ceremony welcomes all the Relay participants. There may be special guests to help get you pumped for a time of remembrance and celebration.
3. Survivor and Caregiver Recognition
First the survivors are recognized, with participants cheering them on. Then caregivers take their turn and get recognized for all they do to support their loved ones.
4. Time to Celebrate!
Relay is all about joining together as a community. Every teammate’s participation symbolizes our unstoppable fight against cancer.
5. Lighting the Luminaria
We light luminaria to remember those we’ve lose, celebrate cancer survivors, and show everyone affected by cancer that we are the light in the darkness.
6. Closing Ceremony
Last, but certainly not least, the closing ceremony will recognize all our event volunteers, the community’s hard work, and the fact that our light will keep going until the world is free from cancer!
HOW YOU CAN PARTICIPATE
Join a team before the event, or join virtually on event day to celebrate survivors and support the fight against cancer.
It’s up to you to recruit members, set fundraising goals, organize virtual fundraisers, and most of all, support your team.
Join an existing team and use your inspiring story to raise money and help fund everything from breakthrough cancer research to free rides to chemo.
We can’t pull it all off without our volunteers pitching in to help make Relay successful, with or without in-person events.
WHY I RELAY
Vicki And Amy
“Three words to describe Relay for Life for me: community, fundraising, and tutus.” Watch Vicki and Amy’s Story
Deanna
“It’s a gathering of people who are hurting and people who are there to help. And it makes it so nice that we have a Relay For Life everywhere.” Watch Deanna’s Story
Brandi
“We've always had a big family and have been there for each other, so I support an organization who's there for people 24/7. Raising money for them, I feel like I'm doing something for all of my family.” Watch Brandi’s Story
Jodi
“If we see sun coming through these clouds, it will be Emily with us. She'll be the one making us smile. There are going to be tears, but she'll be the reason we'll be enjoying the day.” Watch Jodi’s Story
DEDICATE A LUMINARIA
During Relay events, you’ll see Luminaria decorated with the names of loved ones. Each Luminaria is in honor or remembrance of a life touched by cancer, accompanied by a moment of silence for those we’ve lost. Dedicating a luminaria is not the only way to express your unwavering support. When you make a donation for a luminaria, it helps the American Cancer Society continue to fight cancer on all fronts.
OUR HISTORY
One person can make a difference. In May 1985, Dr. Gordon “Gordy” Klatt walked and ran for 24 hours around a track in Tacoma, Washington, raising money to help the American Cancer Society with the nation’s biggest health concern: cancer.
Gordy spent a grueling 24 hours circling the track at the University of Puget Sound. Friends, family, and patients watched and supported him as he walked and ran more than 83.6 miles and raised $27,000 through pledges to help save lives from cancer. As he circled the track, he thought of how he could get others to take part. He envisioned having teams participate in a 24-hour fundraising event. The next year, 19 teams were part of the first Relay For Life event at the historical Stadium Bowl and raised $33,000.
After previously battling stomach cancer, Gordy passed away from heart failure on August 3, 2014 at the age of 71. But his legacy lives on. He shaped an idea that started as one man walking and running a track and helped turn it into a global fundraising phenomenon.
MORE ABOUT RELAY
Would you like to lead the team or join the team?
This isn’t what I wanted.
Cancer has touched all of us in some way. And we want to stop this disease in its tracks. We'll spend the next few weeks fundraising for the American Cancer Society. Then, on the day of the event, we'll honor the lives lost to cancer, celebrate survivors, and support the caregivers who so selflessly help others.
Together, we'll be a part of making a difference in this important cause.
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