Relay For Life

The start Dr. Gordon Klatt, a volunteer for the American Cancer Society and a colorectal surgeon from Tacoma, Washington, wanted to find new ways to fundraise for the organization. In May 1985, he started a walking marathon to bring awareness around cancer and to raise funds for his local charity. Due to his enjoyment of marathons, Klatt walked around the track at Baker Stadium at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma for 24 hours. The 24-hour length is stated to represent the ongoing fight someone with a cancer diagnosis participates in. Throughout the night, friends paid $25 to run or walk 30 minutes with him. He walked approximately 83 miles and raised $27,000 for the American Cancer Society. Nearly 300 of Klatt's friends, family, and patients watched as he ran and walked the course. The first official Relay Following the event, Pat Flynn, an employee of Tacoma Public Schools, heard about Gordon's efforts and donated $10 to the cause. Klatt heard about this gesture and the two met up to discuss how this event could happen again the following year. Dr. Klatt spread the word of the event around his community to raise funds and invite participants. Dr. Gordon Klatt and Pat Flynn, now named the "Mother of Relay", held the first official Relay For Life team event, called the City of Destiny Classic 24-hour Run Against Cancer, the next year at Stadium Bowl with 19 teams and raised $33,000. The relay went virtual in 2020, before it went live again the next year. In 2025, Relay For Life celebrated its 40th anniversary under the theme "40 Years of Impact," reflecting on the progress made in cancer prevention, research, and survivorship, while recommitting to the goal of ending cancer as we know it, for everyone. == Features ==

Although all Relays vary, there are a few common features: • A Survivor Dinner. • A Survivor Lap, which starts the Relay event. • An Opening Lap, in which all the participants take a lap around the track. • A Luminaria Ceremony, usually with a candlelight vigil. • A Closing Ceremony, including a final lap for all participants. Awards are given to teams for various achievements, such as most laps walked and most money raised. • A "Fight Back" Ceremony, in which participants pledge to take specific actions against cancer. Survivor Lap and Survivor Dinner The American Cancer Society defines a cancer survivor as anyone who has been diagnosed with cancer. At most Relay events, a Survivor Dinner is held for survivors in the community before the event. The Survivor Lap, which is often the first lap of a Relay event, is used to identify the survivors. At some events, survivors are invited to speak at Relay events to encourage those with cancer. Opening Lap Following the Survivor Lap, the Opening Lap allows all participants to walk the track to kickstart the event. Luminaria Ceremony At Relay For Life, participants celebrate survivors and remember those lost to the disease. When the sun sets, the ceremony takes place and participants are asked to gather and honor those who have survived, are fighting, or have died from cancer. To honor these people, Luminaria bags, paper bags with a candle inside, are decorated by participants and placed around the track. At some Relay events, a slideshow is played with pictures of cancer patients with songs and readings are delivered. "Fight Back" Ceremony At this time, participants make a pledge to make a personal effort to fight against cancer. == Gold Together for Childhood Cancer ==

Gold Together for Childhood Cancer is a national Relay For Life initiative that seeks to empower individuals and communities to raise awareness and funds specifically for childhood cancer research, advocacy, and support services. Founded by pediatric brain cancer survivor Cole Eicher and his mother, the initiative began as a way to give children and families affected by cancer a stronger voice within the American Cancer Society’s fundraising programs. Gold Together teams are identified by gold-themed branding, honoring the gold ribbon symbol for childhood cancer awareness. Participants can designate their fundraising efforts to benefit ACS’s restricted fund for childhood cancer, which supports research grants, patient navigation services, and advocacy focused on pediatric cancer issues. The initiative has grown in visibility through community engagement and media coverage. In 2024, Relay For Life of Greene County, New York, featured a Gold Together team led by local high school student and cancer survivor Tatum Lampman. Her team helped promote childhood cancer awareness among youth and raised significant funds for pediatric cancer programs. == Funds ==

Funds raised through Relay For Life events benefit the American Cancer Society. The American Cancer Society states that money raised through Relay For Life events is given to the following efforts: • Research grants and research programs • Prevention programs • Community and patient support programs • Detection and treatment programs • Fundraising • Construction of Hope Lodge The American Cancer Society conducted a study in 2024, the following was noted for how funds from the event assisted in breakthrough research: • $792,000 - Xiaomin Bao, PhD, at Regents of the University of Minnesota for Prostate Cancer • $792,000 - Esra Akbay, PhD, at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center for Lung Cancer • $778,000 - Joshua Andersen, PhD, at the University of Utah for Colorectal Cancer • $217,500 - Lesley Ferguson, PhD, at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory for Pancreatic Cancer == Global Relay For Life ==

Global Relay For Life (GRFL) is the international extension of the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life program, supporting cancer-focused organizations in more than 35 countries and 3,000 communities. These global partnerships aim to empower communities worldwide to host Relay events tailored to local cultures while upholding the shared mission to celebrate survivors, remember those lost, and raise funds to fight cancer. The first official Global Relay For Life event was held in 1997 in Portsmouth, England, in support of Cancer Research UK. Countries and their names Many countries participate in Relay For Life, often using localized names and partnering with national cancer organizations. Below is a list of countries, their event names, and associated organizations: == Relay For Life Hall of Fame ==

The Relay For Life Hall of Fame honors volunteers and staff whose leadership, innovation, and dedication have had a lasting impact on the Relay For Life movement. Inductees are recognized for advancing the mission of the American Cancer Society through exceptional service at the local, national, or global level. Notable Inductees • Gordy Klatt (1942–2014), inducted in 1997. Klatt was the founder of Relay For Life, having raised $27,000 by running and walking for 24 hours in Tacoma, Washington, in 1985. • Pat Flynn (1938–2018), inducted in 1998. Known as the “Mother of Relay,” Flynn was the first team captain at the inaugural Relay and helped scale the program internationally. • Terry Zahn (1946–2000), inducted in 1999. A television news anchor from Virginia, Zahn produced early Relay promotional videos that were shared nationally, helping Relay expand across the U.S. • Phylecia Wilson, inducted in 2001. A long-time volunteer leader, Wilson helped launch Relay in Gwinnett County, Georgia, and served on numerous national and global advisory groups. • Dr. Robert "Bob" Brodell, inducted in 2005. A dermatologist and advocate, Brodell co-led efforts for Relay-focused advocacy events in Washington, D.C., including the "Celebration on the Hill." • Jeff Ross, inducted in 2009. After losing his mother to cancer, Ross became a prominent speaker and fundraiser in North Carolina, earning national recognition for his commitment. • Reuel Johnson, inducted in 2013. A 40-year American Cancer Society staff member, Johnson led the Relay Business Unit and played a key role in expanding Relay globally. • Laura McCormick, inducted in 2016. McCormick held numerous leadership roles at the local, regional, and global levels and chaired the Global Relay For Life volunteer team. • Joe Gillette, inducted in 2023. A Brooklyn-based volunteer, Gillette founded Relay First Lap and developed national engagement tools like the Relay fundraising calendar. • Thelma Suson (1951–2024), inducted in 2024. A cancer survivor and Delta Air Lines team captain, Suson played a major role in expanding Relay’s global presence and training survivor spokespeople worldwide. ==See also==