community focus and volunteerism

Relay For Life: A way for everyone to celebrate, remember, and fight back
In May 1985, a colorectal surgeon ran around a track for 24 hours in Tacoma, Washington to raise funds for his local American Cancer Society. The following year, 220 supporters on 19 teams joined Dr. Gordy Klatt on the track, and Relay For Life was born.

Twenty-three years later, Relay For Life has grown to represent more than 4,800 communities across the nation, with 22 countries also participating worldwide. Through Relay, the Society has raised more than $2 billion for cancer research, education, advocacy, and patient services, while involving more than 3 million Americans – 500,000 who are cancer survivors.

Relay For Life is a fun-filled overnight event that offers everyone in communities throughout the country a chance to celebrate survivors (anyone who has ever been diagnosed with cancer), remember loved ones, and raise money to help fight back against cancer. Teams with people of all ages gather together and camp out at a local high school, park, or fairground, and take turns walking or running around the track at all times during the event.

Bonnie Nolting is co-chair for the Relay For Life of Bartholomew County in Indiana, and for her family, Relay is tradition. Bonnie is a cancer survivor herself, and over the course of the family’s involvement in Relay, three other members of the family were diagnosed with the disease.

"I want to make a difference. I don’t want other people to go through what I have been through, or other families to go through what we have been through," Bonnie said. "I’m doing this from my heart. I’m walking for my grandkids that aren’t born yet that may be subjected to cancer problems, and I’m trying to raise money to hopefully eliminate the problem."

Team Bonnie is a great example of multi-generational involvement. Sarah Krebbs, Bonnie’s niece, has been on Team Bonnie since she was seven years old. This will be her third Relay and she plans to continue to "get more money for cancer research and more medicine [for patients]."

Sarah’s Great Aunt (Bonnie’s aunt), Erma Loesch, also participates in Relay with Team Bonnie. "[Cancer has] affected so many people, and it’s time to take charge," said Erma.

Relay For Life takes prides in being a community based event and getting individuals involved locally to help fight cancer on a global scale. For newly diagnosed cancer patients, Relay also offers the healing and opportunity that comes from meeting others who have claimed victory over cancer. For caregivers who give their time, love, and support to their family and friends who face cancer, Relay provides respite, hope, and understanding.

By participating in a Relay For Life event near you, you too can celebrate cancer survivors, remember loved ones lost to cancer, and raise money to fight back against the disease – all within your community.

To learn more about the many ways you can participate in Relay For Life, call your American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345, or visit online at www.RelayForLife.com.

Pictured: Celebrating survivors at Relay (top right); Bonnie (in blue Relay shirt) with her sister, niece, and nephew (bottom left)