About Relay For Life of Douglas County

$110,901 raised of $175,000 goal

What is Relay For Life?

The American Cancer Society Relay For Life is a life-changing event that gives everyone in communities across the globe a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease. At Relay, teams of people camp out at a local high school, park, or fairground and take turns walking or running around a track or path. Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the event. Because cancer never sleeps, Relays are overnight events up to 24 hours in length.

Relay began in 1985 when Dr. Gordy Klatt, a colorectal surgeon in Tacoma, Washington, ran and walked around a track for 24 hours to raise money for the American Cancer Society. Since then, Relay has grown from a single man’s passion to fight cancer into the world’s largest movement to end the disease. Each year, more than 3.5 million people in 5,000 communities in the United States, along with additional communities in 20 other countries, gather to take part in this global phenomenon and raise much-needed funds and awareness to save lives from cancer. Thanks to Relay participants, the American Cancer Society continues to save lives.

Why Relay? Relay For Life is more than just a fundraiser. It’s a life-changing experience. At Relay, every person in the community has a chance to celebrate, remember, and fight back. And every person who participates joins others around the globe as part of this worldwide movement to end cancer.

Everyone's reason to Relay is as unique as their own personal story. At Relay, you can find healing, comfort, and support from others who have faced cancer or who have lost a loved one to the disease. You have a chance to meet people in the community who are equally as passionate about finding an end to cancer in our lifetime. You can thank all the people who have done so much to support you through your personal cancer experience. And you can gather together with friends, family, and colleagues to laugh, cry, and create lasting memories.

No matter why you take part in Relay, however, one thing is clear: with every step you take, you are helping the American Cancer Society save lives. With your help, we aren’t just fighting one type of cancer – we’re fighting for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. Each person who shares the Relay experience can take pride in knowing that they are working to create a world where this disease will no longer threaten the lives of our loved ones or claim another year of anyone’s life.

Relay For Life of Douglas County introduces new fundraiser

Betty Parks

Cathy Belcher participates in Relay For Life to honor, remember relatives who have fought cancer

Karrey Britt

Steve Birchfield shares journey with rare blood cancer

Karrey Britt

Recent KU graduate participates in Relay For Life for 'other' mom, stepfather who lost battles with cancer

Karrey Britt

Debbie Ross shares experience of battling skin cancer at age 21

Karrey Britt

Betty Parks encourages residents to join Relay For Life experience

Karrey Britt

Karly Schultz relays for inspiring teacher who lost battle to cancer

Karrey Britt

Brandy Groff participates in Relay For Life to remember her grandma, honor her grandpa

Karrey Britt

Relay For Life of Douglas County to hold Food Drive for County Food Banks

Betty Parks

Community wants to give back to longtime Lawrence volunteer battling cancer

Karrey Britt

Bibs & Bids for Hope Auction and Spaghetti Feed to benefit Relay for Life of Douglas County - April 14th, 2012 5-7pm

Amanda Davis

Relay For Life of Douglas County reached the Million Dollar Milestone in 2011!

Betty Parks

Relay For Life of Douglas County Team Captains to meet on Tuesday, February 28th.

Betty Parks

Pancreatic cancer survivor defies horrible odds

Karrey Britt

February Fundraiser to Support Relay For Life of Douglas County

Betty Parks

Relay For Life of Douglas County hosted successful Team Captain Kickoff on January 24.

Betty Parks

It was another successful year at Relay For Life of Douglas County

Karrey Britt

Suits & Sneakers Day at the Capitol Thursday Jan. 26th!

Jill Sittenauer

Relay For Life of Douglas County kicks off Tuesday with sign-up event

Karrey Britt

Join Us for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer on Oct. 23rd

Jill Sittenauer

Relay for Life draws hundreds whose lives have been touched by cancer

Andy Hyland

Relay for Life ceremonies start at 7 p.m. tonight at Free State High School!

Jane Stevens

Fifty-year cancer survivor to walk in Relay for Life

Jane Stevens

2011 Relay for Life Teams - Add your team!

Plant It Pink aims to raise breast cancer awareness

Karrey Britt

It was another successful year at Relay For Life of Douglas County

Karrey Britt

Relay For Life

Karrey Britt

Live from Douglas County's Relay for Life

Jonathan Kealing

A Summer that changed my life.

Amanda Easley

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