Relay For Life

History

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 at Baker Stadium at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, walking around the track 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. 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. 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. 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.

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 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.

Following the Survivor Lap, the Opening Lap allows all participants to walk the track to kickstart the event. When the sun sets, the Luminaria Ceremony takes place: 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.

The closing ceremony, held toward the end of relay events, includes 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 is held, in which participants pledge to take specific actions against cancer. 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.

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.

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. Inductees include Gordy Klatt (1942–2014), the founder, inducted in 1997; Pat Flynn (1938–2018), known as the 'Mother of Relay,' inducted in 1998; Terry Zahn (1946–2000), a Virginia news anchor who produced early promotional videos, inducted in 1999; Phylecia Wilson, inducted in 2001; Dr. Robert 'Bob' Brodell, inducted in 2005; Jeff Ross, inducted in 2009; Reuel Johnson, inducted in 2013; Laura McCormick, inducted in 2016; Joe Gillette, inducted in 2023; and Thelma Suson (1951–2024), inducted in 2024.