What is Relay for Life?

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. 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. Relays are an overnight event, up to 24 hours in length.

Teams of people from all walks of life have fun while raising much-needed
funds to fight cancer and raise awareness of cancer prevention and
treatment.

No matter who you are, there's a place for you at Relay. To participate,
form a team, or dedicate a luminaria at your local American Cancer Society
Relay For Life, please call 1.800.227.2345 or visit cancer.org.

Relay For Life is a life-changing event that brings together more than 3.5
million people to:

. Celebrate the lives of those who have battled cancer. The strength of
survivors inspires others to continue to fight.
. Remember loved ones lost to the disease. At Relay, people 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.

There is not a required amount of money to raise in order to participate in
Relay For Life. The American Cancer Society's recommendation is for each
participant to set a personal goal to raise $100. If you raise more, that's
even better. If you do not raise $100, you are still welcome to
participate. We're glad to have you. The only requirement to participate
in Relay For Life is the $10 registration/commitment fee (per person) that
is due upon registration. Please verify the registration fee with your
local office, as some Relays may differ. After that, anything you can raise
through individual, team, or online fundraising is graciously accepted.

Philosophy - Why We 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.

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.


History of Relay - Celebrating Hope

One person can make a difference. Nowhere is that more evident than with the
story of the American Cancer Society Relay For Life, which began in Tacoma,
Washington. In the mid-1980s, Dr. Gordy Klatt, a Tacoma colorectal surgeon,
wanted to enhance the income of his local American Cancer Society office and
to show support for all of his patients who had battled cancer. He decided
to personally raise money for the fight by doing something he enjoyed -
running marathons.

In May 1985, Dr. Klatt spent a grueling 24 hours circling the track at Baker
Stadium at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma. He ran for more than 83
miles. That first year, nearly 300 of Dr. Klatt's friends, family, and
patients watched as he ran and walked the course. Throughout the night,
friends donated $25 to run or walk with Dr. Klatt for 30 minutes. His
efforts raised $27,000 to fight cancer.

While circling the track those 24 hours, Dr. Klatt thought about how others
could take part in his mission to fight cancer. He envisioned a 24-hour team
relay event that could raise more money to fight cancer. Over the next few
months, he pulled together a small committee to plan the first team relay
event, known as the City of Destiny Classic 24-Hour Run Against Cancer.

In 1986, with the help of Pat Flynn - now known as the "Mother of Relay" -
19 teams took part in the first team Relay event on the track at the
historic Stadium Bowl and raised $33,000. An indescribable spirit prevailed
at the track and in the tents that dotted the infield.

The Impact of Relay Around the World
A Presence in Communities

Relay For Life is conducted not simply to raise funds, but to involve new
communities, give the Society a local presence, and provide communities the
opportunity to own the mission. Because Relay provides grassroots access to
the population, it is a critical means of achieving the Society's 2015
goals.

A Celebration of Cancer Survivorship

Relay is a moving celebration of cancer survivorship. The event begins with
a Survivors Lap in which cancer survivors take a victory lap around the
track. A candlelight ceremony is held later in the evening to honor cancer
survivors and remember those who we've lost to this disease.

A Community Event

Relay For Life is a community event. Event sites should be selected based on
how communities identify themselves. A town or small city may see itself as
one community. Larger cities are usually made up of several different
communities and neighborhoods. If people identify themselves as being part
of a given community, the community qualifies as a Relay site. For example,
Relays are even happening on college and corporate campuses, on military
bases, and in cyberspace.

A Community-Owned / Volunteer-Driven Activity

As a community event, Relay fulfills a need for belonging that we all have.
It also creates a sense of community by bringing people together in a moving
and fun atmosphere, with sufficient time for cultivating relationships. The
event is volunteer-driven, with Society staff coaching the volunteers. There
is a true partnership between volunteers and staff.

A Means of Unifying Communities

Cancer is indiscriminate and knows no boundaries. As voluntary organizations
in the United States must serve an increasingly diverse population and
customer base, the way in which the American Cancer Society does business
will need to shift. Our ability to communicate appropriately and utilize
partners in our efforts will facilitate our growth in reaching diverse
communities and ultimately in reaching the 2015 goals of the Society.
Inclusion is imperative.

Back to Top

Relay Around the Globe

The American Cancer Society Relay For Life is an international movement to
end cancer. Since 1996, the Society has partnered with multiple cancer
organizations in countries outside the United States to license and support
Relay For Life programs. Through Relay, these organizations bring together
passionate volunteers, promote their mission-based activities, and mobilize
community members to take action in the fight against cancer. Relay has
proven especially important to countries at the beginning stages of
educating both the public and health care communities about this deadly and
often preventable disease.

International Relay For Life events are now held in communities spanning 19
countries outside of the United States

Stacy Worsham, President
Olympus Recruiters,Inc
Member of the Top Echelon Network, FLAM 01
1208 E. Louisiana Avenue
Tampa, Florida 33603
Office 813/232-5161
Cell 727/742-8942

Comments

[Stacy Worsham]

I am the Sponsorship Chair for Relay for Life in Seminole Heights. It is taking place April of 2010 at the track at Hillsborough High.This is the first year it has been done here in our own back yard.! We are competing with East Tampa, Temple Terrace, South Tampa etc. This is an awesome community event. I am seeking others to help me raise money for this event. Event sponsporship starts as low as $250.00 to $7500.00 for our top Gold Level. I know alot of you are well entrenched with businesses in Seminole Heights and would be able to help me and perhaps even have a business start a team. If you know a company that I should approach or that we can approach together, any leads would be greatly appreciated. Please visit the www.acs.org website for details on Relay for Life and what it does for you and our community. Please contact Stacy Worsham at 813/232-5161 for more details and information. Thanks so much for your support in this awesome cause. 80% of the money collected goes directly back into our community! I am sure alot of you have been touched by Cancer in some way or form or know someone who has.

[Stacy Worsham]

My daughter, who just turned 18, is looking for a PT job. She is available late afternoons, evengings and weekends. She is a FT student at HCC during the day now. She has retail experience, grocery experience, office experience (phones,filing etc) and word processing skills. She would also be willing to wait tables or be a hostess somewhere. We live in SESH but she can go to anywhere in Tampa. She goes between HCC Ybor and the Dale Mabry Campus. Outgoing, gets along well with others. She is having a hard time finding something that fits her schedule. She has reliable transportation as well. Any leads would be appreciated!!!!!