The American Cancer Society Relay For Life is a life-changing event that gives everyone in communities across the globe a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease. At Relay, teams of people camp out at a local high school, park, or fairground and take turns walking or running around a track or path. Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the event, because cancer never sleeps. Relays are overnight events up to 24 hours in length.
Relay began in 1985 when Dr. Gordy Klatt, a colorectal surgeon in Tacoma, Washington, ran and walked around a track for 24 hours to raise money for the American Cancer Society. Since then, Relay has grown from a single man’s passion to fight cancer into the world’s largest movement to end the disease. Each year, more than 3.5 million people in 5,000 communities in the United States, along with additional communities in 20 other countries, gather to take part in this global phenomenon and raise much-needed funds and awareness to save lives from cancer. Thanks to Relay participants, the American Cancer Society continues to save lives.[1]
At Ohio University's Relay for Life survivors and students join the movement at the Athens County Fairgrounds for 18 hours. There are tons of bands, games, and fun filled moments along with free food (and what college student doesn't love a free meal?). Whether it's during the Miss Relay contest or the Luminaria Ceremony, we celebrate those who have battled cancer, remember those who lost their battle, and fight back against the disease that takes too much. As college students we are future researchers, doctors, caregivers, and survivors. Through our continued support of the American Cancer Society and our never-ending fight against cancer, we have the possibility of seeing the day when we find the cure!
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