-- by Staci1219 , WhatNext-er and American Cancer Society patient advocate
The Relay For Life (RFL) is the American Cancer Society ’s (ACS) signature activity. It offers everyone in a community an opportunity to participate in the fight against cancer. People put teams together and campout at local high schools, parks or fairgrounds and take turns walking or running around a track or path. Each team is asked to have someone on the track at all times during the event. The events started out being 24 hours in length but now most of them last 12 hours. Teams of people from all walks of life have fun while raising much needed funds to fight cancer and raise awareness of cancer prevention and treatment.
No matter who you are, there’s a place for you at Relay. To participate, form a team or dedicate a luminaria at your local American Cancer Society Relay For Life, please call 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org
There is not a required amount of money to raise in order to participate in RFL but the ACS recommendation is for each participant to set a personal goal and raise $100. If you raise more, that’s even better, if you don’t raise $100 you are still welcome to participate. The only requirement to participate in RFL is the $10 registration/commitment fee that is due upon registration. After that, anything you can raise through individual, team or online fundraising is graciously accepted. I have been to some Relay events in the past and I have volunteered with many also. There are the serious moments but there are the fun moments too.
Survivors Lap
Relay starts with a Survivors Lap – an inspirational time when survivors are invited to circle the track together and help everyone celebrate the victories we’ve achieved over cancer. We also recognize and celebrate caregivers at Relay For Life. These individuals give their time, love, and support to friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers who face cancer.
Luminaria Ceremony
After dark, we honor people who have been touched by cancer and remember loved ones lost to the disease during the Luminaria Ceremony. Candles are lit inside bags filled with sand, each one bearing the name of a person touched by cancer, and participants often walk a lap in silence.
Fight Back Ceremony
Last, there is a Fight Back Ceremony, where we make a personal commitment to save lives by taking up the fight against cancer. That personal commitment may be to do something as simple as getting a screening test, quitting smoking, or talking to elected officials about cancer. By taking action, people are personally taking steps to save lives and fight back against a disease that takes too much.
History of Relay
One person can make a difference. Nowhere is that more evident than with the story of the American Cancer Society Relay For Life, which began in Tacoma, Washington. In the mid-1980s, Dr. Gordy Klatt, a Tacoma colorectal surgeon, wanted to enhance the income of his local American Cancer Society office and to show support for all of his patients who had battled cancer. He decided to personally raise money for the fight by doing something 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. He ran for more than 83 miles. That first year, nearly 300 of Dr. Klatt's friends, family, and patients watched as he ran and walked the course. Throughout the night, friends donated $25 to run or walk with Dr. Klatt for 30 minutes. His efforts raised $27,000 to fight cancer.
While circling the track those 24 hours, Dr. Klatt thought about how others could take part in his mission to fight cancer. He envisioned a 24-hour team relay event that could raise more money to fight cancer. Over the next few months, 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, with the help of Pat Flynn – now known as the “Mother of Relay” – 19 teams took part in the first team Relay event on the track at the historic Stadium Bowl and raised $33,000. An indescribable spirit prevailed at the track and in the tents that dotted the infield.
Editor's Note: WhatNext-er Staci1219 has been an advocate for the ACS since 2003 and has been involved with the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life program since around that time, too. Staci shares her story and experiences on what the Relay For Life is, how it works and the history behind it. To read more about Staci, you can click here .
The Relay For Life (RFL) is the American Cancer Society ’s (ACS) signature activity. It offers everyone in a community an opportunity to participate in the fight against cancer. People put teams together and campout at local high schools, parks or fairgrounds and take turns walking or running around a track or path. Each team is asked to have someone on the track at all times during the event. The events started out being 24 hours in length but now most of them last 12 hours. Teams of people from all walks of life have fun while raising much needed funds to fight cancer and raise awareness of cancer prevention and treatment.
No matter who you are, there’s a place for you at Relay. To participate, form a team or dedicate a luminaria at your local American Cancer Society Relay For Life, please call 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org
There is not a required amount of money to raise in order to participate in RFL but the ACS recommendation is for each participant to set a personal goal and raise $100. If you raise more, that’s even better, if you don’t raise $100 you are still welcome to participate. The only requirement to participate in RFL is the $10 registration/commitment fee that is due upon registration. After that, anything you can raise through individual, team or online fundraising is graciously accepted. I have been to some Relay events in the past and I have volunteered with many also. There are the serious moments but there are the fun moments too.
Survivors Lap
Relay starts with a Survivors Lap – an inspirational time when survivors are invited to circle the track together and help everyone celebrate the victories we’ve achieved over cancer. We also recognize and celebrate caregivers at Relay For Life. These individuals give their time, love, and support to friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers who face cancer.
Luminaria Ceremony
After dark, we honor people who have been touched by cancer and remember loved ones lost to the disease during the Luminaria Ceremony. Candles are lit inside bags filled with sand, each one bearing the name of a person touched by cancer, and participants often walk a lap in silence.
Fight Back Ceremony
Last, there is a Fight Back Ceremony, where we make a personal commitment to save lives by taking up the fight against cancer. That personal commitment may be to do something as simple as getting a screening test, quitting smoking, or talking to elected officials about cancer. By taking action, people are personally taking steps to save lives and fight back against a disease that takes too much.
History of Relay
One person can make a difference. Nowhere is that more evident than with the story of the American Cancer Society Relay For Life, which began in Tacoma, Washington. In the mid-1980s, Dr. Gordy Klatt, a Tacoma colorectal surgeon, wanted to enhance the income of his local American Cancer Society office and to show support for all of his patients who had battled cancer. He decided to personally raise money for the fight by doing something 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. He ran for more than 83 miles. That first year, nearly 300 of Dr. Klatt's friends, family, and patients watched as he ran and walked the course. Throughout the night, friends donated $25 to run or walk with Dr. Klatt for 30 minutes. His efforts raised $27,000 to fight cancer.
While circling the track those 24 hours, Dr. Klatt thought about how others could take part in his mission to fight cancer. He envisioned a 24-hour team relay event that could raise more money to fight cancer. Over the next few months, 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, with the help of Pat Flynn – now known as the “Mother of Relay” – 19 teams took part in the first team Relay event on the track at the historic Stadium Bowl and raised $33,000. An indescribable spirit prevailed at the track and in the tents that dotted the infield.
Editor's Note: WhatNext-er Staci1219 has been an advocate for the ACS since 2003 and has been involved with the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life program since around that time, too. Staci shares her story and experiences on what the Relay For Life is, how it works and the history behind it. To read more about Staci, you can click here .