Riverside Relay For Life
Relay For Life is a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society that takes place in over 5,200 communities in 20 different countries. Relay teams camp out overnight and take turns walking or running around a track or path at a local space such as a high school. The aim of Relay for Life is not only to raise money to combat cancer but also to celebrate survivors and remember the lost.
Relay For Life began over 25 years ago (in 1985) when one man (Dr. Gordy Klatt) walked and ran for 24 hours around a track in Tacoma, Washington. The next year, 340 supporters joined the event. Relay For Life has been growing ever since.
In recent years, the Relay For Life fundraiser has raised over $400 million. That money is used by the American Cancer Society to fund research and provide free educational information and services to cancer patients and caregivers.
Relay For Life is an important community event, so whether your life or the life of someone you love has been touched by cancer or you just want to help fight this disease, don’t miss Riverside’s Relay For Life.
Riverside’s Relay For Life will take place June 1 and 2, beginning on June 1 at 9:00 a.m. Participants will meet at the Arlington Sports Complex, located at 9401 Cleveland Ave., Riverside, CA.
A Relay For Life event typically goes as follows:
- Opening/welcome ceremony
- Survivor lap – Individuals who have survived cancer are celebrated during a lap around the track.
- Caregiver lap – Individuals who have cared for someone with cancer are recognized and thanked for their commitment
- Opening lap
- Luminaria ceremony – Bags with candles (luminaries) are lit to honor loved ones who passed away or are currently fighting cancer.
- Family games/activities while individuals walk the track
- Fight back ceremony during the final lap
For more information on Riverside’s Relay For Life, to sign up, or to donate, please visit the Relay For Life website.
