Relay For Life Facts & Figures
What is Relay?
The American Cancer Society Relay For Life represents the hope that those lost to cancer will
never be forgotten, that those who face cancer will be supported, and that one day cancer will be
eliminated.
Celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer. The strength of survivors inspires others
to continue their fight. Remember loved ones lost to the disease. At Relay, those who have
walked alongside people battling cancer can grieve and find healing. Fight back. We Relay
because we have been touched by cancer and desperately want to put an end to the disease. Make
a commitment to save lives by taking up the fight.
Relay For Life is the American Cancer Society’s signature activity. It offers everyone in a
community an opportunity to participate in the fight against cancer.
Anyone who has stepped foot onto a track at Relay For Life has felt the impact that a single event
can have on a community. Imagine, the, the power of 4,960 communities across the nation united
in a single cause. Here are a few of the numbers that show just how far Relay reaches.
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An estimated $420 million was raised in 2008.
More than $3 billion has been raised since 1985.
In total, 4,960 communities hosted Relay For Life events in 2008, and more than 5,000
Relay For Life events are planned for 2009.
Nationwide, Relayers raised $1.40 per capita.
Across the United States, 190 new communities joined the Relay For Life movement in
2008.
Relay For Life is the largest nonprofit fundraising event in the world.
Thirty-seven corporations and their employees, as well as four non-corporate community
partners, are part of the Relay For Life National Team Program, and they are projected to
raise more than $19 million in 2008.
Relay began in 1985, when Dr. Gordy Klatt took the first step of his walk/jog/run around
a track in Tacoma, Washington.
Relay For Life is a worldwide movement that takes place in 19 countries outside the
United States.
Teams of eight to 15 people form a Relay team and camp out at a local track, stadium,
park, or fairground. They take turns walking, jogging, or running around a track or path.
Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the event.
Relays are overnight events, up to 24 hours in length.
Relay is a community gathering where everyone is welcome to participate. People from
businesses, clubs, families, friends, hospitals, places of worship, schools, and service club
organizations come together to form teams.
Source: 2008 Celebrating 25 Years of Hope, No. 7541.20