Relay For Life
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Relay For Life (often shortened to Relay) is the signature fundraising event of the American Cancer Society, although it is now held in many other countries around the world. 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. It has also been exported to the online virtual world Second Life.
Relay was started in May 1985 in Tacoma, Washington. Dr. Gordy Klatt, a colorectal surgeon, spent 24 hours circling the track at University of Puget Sound in Tacoma. He raised $27,000 for cancer research.
Although the name is commonly written out by participants and journalists as "Relay for Life" with a lowercase f, the official name is Relay For Life with an uppercase F. This was done for branding purposes and is the format used on all official Relay merchandise and information.
The scale of Relay is now enormous. In 2003, in the USA alone, over three million people took part in Relays. Over half a million cancer survivors walked the opening lap (which is a traditional part of all Relays), and over $250 million was raised, making it by far the biggest single fundraising activity in the world. In 2005, the UK has fifteen Relays and raised over £359,000. In 2006, over forty Relays were planned; this expansion is set to continue in 2007.
Although all Relays are different, there are a few common features:
- An opening ceremony followed by a Survivors' Lap
- A ceremony emphasising "hope" and celebrating "cure"; this is variously called Lumineria, the Candle of Hope, or other names
- A closing ceremony, including one last lap around the track in which everyone takes part
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