Relay for Life

Relay for Life is a 24 hour outdoor team walk which raises funds to defeat cancer. Through the Survivor’s Walk which starts the event, it also celebrates the fact that today more and more people are surviving cancer. Relay for Life is one of The Cancer Council of Western Australia premier events. The Cancer Council is a non-government independent charity which relies on the generosity of the community to funds its services and programs. Funds are raised through personal donations, bequests, corporate sponsors, community fundraising activities and through special events such as Relay for Life.

The Cancer Council of WA aims to minimise the effect of cancer on our community through research, education and by providing patient and family support to enhance the quality of life for people living with cancer. You can find out more about the work of the Cancer Council of WA by visiting www.cancerwa.asn.au

Relay for Life provides the opportunity to remember people who have died from cancer and support those who are battling the disease. Overall, the event creates hope that the Cancer Council will, with the combined efforts of everyone involved in Relay for Life, reduce the impact of cancer has on our families and the community.

History

The Relay for Life story began in 1985 when an American Cancer Society volunteer, Dr Gordy Klatt, put on his jogging gear and headed for the local oval after a good friend died of cancer. Twenty four hours and 81 miles later, Dr Klatt had raised an amazing $27,000 in sponsored donations for the American Cancer Society.

Dr Klatt’s efforts caught the imagination of his community and it spread from there. Twenty years on, Relay for Life is now a global event to raise funds for cancer.

Around the world each year, more than 3 million people – almost half a million of them survivors – participate in Relays across 19 countries.

In the US alone Relays are held at more than 4,500 sites. In 2004 more than $340 million was raised through the Relay for Life

Relays are also held in New Zealand, Canada, Ireland, South Africa, South America, Belgium, France and Spain.

Australia held its first Relay for Life in Melbourne in 1999. All other states and territories now stage Relay events.

Perth Relay for Life

The Cancer Council of Western Australia’s first Relay was held in Perth in April 2001 and since then has grown to be one of the biggest single Relays in Australia! The following amounts raised show the success of this event

  • 2001 raised $161,000
  • 2002 raised $240,000
  • 2003 raised $352,000
  • 2004 raised $479,000
  • 2005 raised $445,000
  • 2006 raised $537,000
  • 2007 raised $671,000
  • 2008 raised $830,000
  • 2009 raised $581,573
  • 2010 raised $659,654
  • 2011 raised $812,515
  • 2012 raised $758,005

Relay for Life events have expanded across WA. Over the next twelve months Relays will be held in the following regional areas of Western Australia

  • Albany
  • Avon Valley (Northam)
  • Bunbury – Southwest
  • Curtain University
  • Goldfields (Kalgoorlie)
  • Joondalup
  • Katanning
  • Mandurah
  • Midwest (Geraldton – Greenough)
  • Narrogin
  • Pilbara (Port Hedland)
  • Rockingham / Kwinana
  • Serpentine / Jarrahdale
  • University of Western Australia

This is just the start as more and more communities are expressing interest in hosting their own Relay for Life.

This year about 100 events will be held in communities throughout Australia.

Relay for Life Characteristics

Relay for Life is

  • A presence in our community
  • Much more than a fundraiser
  • A showcase for your cancer organisation’s local presence
  • Provide communities the opportunity to join the fight against cancer

What is Relay for Life?

Each Relay will be typified by the following:

  • A local volunteer Organising Committee is formed to promote and organise a Relay For Life event in their community
  • Teams of 10 – 15 people register between 1 and 6 months before their Relay to starting organising activities and raising funds for the Cancer Council
  • On a Relay weekend which may be Friday – Saturday or Saturday – Sunday, teams come together at their local track or oval to take turns walking / running laps in Relay format for 24 hours. This idea being to have one team member on the track at all times, although this is not compulsory
  • Teams are usually motivated by a friend or family member touched by cancer and may give their team a special name and adopt a dress theme to add fun and colour to the event
  • The Cancer Council uses Relay for Life to demonstrate its role as the leading cancer charity by promoting its services and delivering ‘cancer smart’ health messages
  • Teams may dedicate their fundraising and walking efforts in the name of someone close who has been touched by cancer
  • Teams are encouraged to pitch a tent and stay overnight
  • To add colour tents are decorated and teams adopt a fun name and fancy dress theme
  • The local Organising Committee arranges bands, entertainers and games to help pass the time and keep people motivated and energised

Local service clubs arrange BBQ’s, tea/coffee, drinks and other healthy meals and a free breakfast are provided for those participants who stay overnight. Teams bring in their own food or buy it at nearby outlets.

A celebration of cancer survivors

Relay for Life is moving celebration for cancer survivors. The event begins with a ‘Survivors Walk’ which honours those who have fought cancer and also includes their carers. At night, a candlelight ceremony (Luminaria) is held to celebrate survivors and remember those who have lost their lives to cancer. Relay offers the newly diagnosed an opportunity to meet others who have survived cancer. It gives the cancer patient in treatment the opportunity to share experiences with others. For long term survivors, Relay brings recognition from the community that it cares not only about their experiences, but also about the hope they offer those beginning a journey with cancer. Cancer survivors add greatly to the impact of the event.

A celebration of caregivers

Caregivers also often find hope at Relay. These individuals give their time, love and support to friends, family and neighbours who face cancer. At Relay, everyone understands the challenges and joys of being a caregiver.

A community – owned, volunteer driven activity

Is a community event, Relay for Life fulfils a need for belonging that we have. It also creates a sense of community by bringing people together in a moving fun atmosphere, with sufficient time for cultivating relationships. As a result, community volunteers naturally take ownership, developing and implementing the event. The Relay committee reflects the diverse groups within a community to pull those groups of people to the event.

A tool for year round fundraising

Teams that participate in Relay for Life raise funds in the months before the event. Teams can hold golf tournaments, bake sales, or whatever they view as fun and worthwhile activities.

Youth

Young people love being involved in Relay.

In WA, we have started the ‘Rule the Schools’ challenge which encourages schools to join in the Relay for Life effort. Relay for Life is a way for young people to show their organisational skills, motivation, and leadership abilities, and have fun into the bargain!