Relay For Life

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Relay For Life (often shortened to Relay) is a fundraising event of the American Cancer Society, and is now held in many other countries. It is an overnight event designed to spread awareness of cancer prevention, treatments and cures, celebrate survivorship and raise money for research to find more cures for cancer.

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Relay For Life was started in May 1985 in Tacoma, Washington. Dr. Gordy Klatt, a colorectal surgeon, spent 24 hours circling the track at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma. He raised $27,000 for cancer research.[1]

The scale of Relay is now enormous. In 2006, over three million people took part in more than 4,600 Relays in the USA alone. Over half a million cancer survivors walked the opening lap, a traditional part of all Relays, and over $375 million was raised, making it by far the biggest single fundraising activity in the world.

In 2005, the UK had 15 Relays and raised over £359,000. In 2006, over 40 Relays were planned. This expansion is set to continue in 2007.

The Luminaria ceremony at the 2006 University of Washington Relay For Life.
The Luminaria ceremony at the 2006 University of Washington Relay For Life.

Although all Relays vary, there are a few common features:

  • An opening ceremony followed by a Survivors Lap
  • A ceremony emphasizing "hope" and celebrating "cure"; this is variously called Luminaria, the Candle of Hope, or other names
  • A closing ceremony, including one last lap around the track in which everyone takes part

Although the event name is commonly written out by participants and journalists as "Relay for Life" with a lowercase f, the name on all official Relay For Life merchandise and information contains an uppercase F for branding purposes.

Relay has been exported to the online virtual world Second Life.[2]

In 2007, Relay For Life volunteers worldwide were able to begin sharing ideas with each other on a support site listed at RelayForLife.org.

  1. ^ http://www.relayforlife.org/relay/about
  2. ^ http://www.cancer.org/docroot/GI/content/GI_1_8_Second_Life_Relay.asp
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