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.^[14] 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.^[15] The 24-hour length represents the ongoing fight someone with a cancer diagnosis participates in.^[16] 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.^[17]

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.^[18]

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.^[19][18]

Relay's growth

Following the second "Relay", Dr. Gordan Klatt shared his event by traveling the United States and sharing his story through Terry Zahn, a news anchor from Virginia. in 1992, the American Cancer Society National Home Office heard about Dr. Klatt and Pat Flynn's event, and Relay For Life became the organization's signature event.^[18] In 1988, Seattle's Relay For Life held the first Luminaria Ceremony. Portsmouth, England held the first Global Relay For Life in 1997. The money raised was given to Cancer Research UK.^[19]

From these grassroots beginnings, Relay For Life grew into a global movement and the American Cancer Society’s signature fundraiser.^[6] Over the past four decades, it has united millions of people across the world and raised more than $7 billion in the fight against cancer.^[20]

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.^[21]

Survivor Lap and Survivor Dinner

The American Cancer Society defines a cancer survivor as anyone who has been diagnosed with cancer.^[23] 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.^[24]

Opening Lap

Following the Survivor Lap, the Opening Lap allows all participants to walk the track to kickstart the event.^[25]

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 is shown with songs and readings are delivered.^[25]

Closing Ceremony

The Closing Ceremony, held toward the end of Relay events, is when participants pledge to take action and spread awareness of cancer research, treatments, and prevention. Participants are encouraged to hold events in the community to increase awareness of smoking cessation, routine screenings, general cancer awareness and volunteer opportunities. A representative from the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) may come to a Relay event and speak about cancer prevention bills and legislation that are trying to be passed as well as encourage ACS CAN participation.^[26]

"Fight Back" Ceremony

At this time, participants make a pledge to make a personal effort to fight against cancer.^[25]

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:

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.^[34]
• 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.^[35]
• 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.^[36]
• 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.^[37]
• 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."^[38]
• 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.^[39]
• 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.^[40]
• 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.^[41]
• Joe Gillette, inducted in 2023. A Brooklyn-based volunteer, Gillette founded Relay First Lap and developed national engagement tools like the Relay fundraising calendar.^[42]
• Thelma Suson, 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.^[43]