Relay For Lifemac's History



Our Mission

Relay For Life is the largest cancer engagement and fundraising activity in the world! Find your upcoming CANSA Relay For Life. The global Relay For Life family heard the sad news of the death of Honorary Life Member Gordon Klatt, MD, founder of the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life programme. Let me relay a little Mac Davis-inspired social experiment I undertook about a year ago. On a lazy morning not long after listening to one of Mac’s classic albums, a day when my wife and son were visiting with out-of-town friends, finding myself bored yet somehow inspired, I decided to assume the signature look of our Mr. Davis and parade. Well for those who remember the good old times of IRC (Internet Relay Chat) and ICQ (I seek you) 🙂 and even Jabber when chatting emerged and boomed into popularity all the chat clients nomatter whether it was a free software under GPL / BSD license or it was a Proprietary licensed software, there was always alternative on the Interface.

Relay for Life is a worldwide movement that aims to spread the key messages about cancer as well as raise much needed funds for cancer services. It started in USA, under the American Cancer Society, and is now held in over 20 countries around the world.

The National Cancer Society of Malaysia Penang Branch initiated the Relay in Malaysia, in 2005. KL and Malacca now also hold Relays. We look forward to other Malaysian states joining in.

Our Key Messages

As many of us will know only too well, cancer is already widespread and is on the increase. It is the third biggest killer in our country.

2.1 average rate of changeap calculus calculator. Many cancers are treatable, but many people remain ignorant about cancer and are scared by it. By helping challenge the myths of cancer and spread positive messages, you can help to save peoples’ lives and help people cope with cancer.

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Building awareness about cancer is crucial for a successful fight against it. The key messages we ask you to help spread include

  • There are over 200 different kinds of cancer, many of which are treatable.
  • There are thousands of cancer survivors in Penang: we are not alone and we can get great inspiration from others through the sharing of experiences.
  • Early detection and proper treatment saves lives. Go for regular check-ups.
  • Practise a healthy life style and help avoid cancer and many other major diseases.
  • There are many places to go to get help – contact us for advice and/or a list!

The Meaning of Relay

Relay brings us together as a community in our fight against cancer. It affirms that we can do things to protect ourselves and our loved ones against cancer; that we need to know more and spread knowledge to others; and that we can celebrate this fight together over the months of the Relay campaign, and of course at the final Relay event.

There are three key concepts for Relay which apply to us as individuals and as a Relay community: celebrate, remember, fight back.

We celebrate survivorship and everyone involved in fighting and supporting people in their fight against cancer – survivors, carers, families, and friends. The first lap at Relay is walked by survivors and their carers/supporters.

We remember those who have fought cancer. At Relay, we do this especially through the very special Luminaria ceremony. Hundreds of luminaria bags, dedicated to loved ones, line the track and are left burning throughout the night. It’s a spectacular sight.

We commit ourselves to fight back against cancer, through the various activities of Relay and beyond. This includes carrying the key messages (see Our Key Messages) to as many people as we possibly can, making sure people understand cancer better, how we can fight it, and where we can go for help.

Many people also ask why the ‘Relay’ at the final event. As many of you will know, in addition to all the entertainment, food, and other stalls which fill the field, there is a track which teams and individuals take turns to walk around (Relay For Life!). The ‘relaying’ symbolise the journey of a cancer patient and the non-stop fight against cancer. As we walk around the track, we can think about the initial diagnosis of a cancer patient, and then, as time goes in, the various stages of reaction and treatment that patients and carers go through. It is a long journey for many, full of conflicting emotions, ranging from hope to despair. All this can be seen in our Relay – and that is why we ask teams to keep at least one person on the track at all times, to share and symbolise our support for survivors and our communal fight against cancer.

Together we can make a difference.

Together we can fight cancer!

Relay For Life
TypeFundraising event for the ACS
Worldwide
Parent organization
American Cancer Society
Websitehttp://relayforlife.org/

Relay For Life is a community-based fundraising event for the American Cancer Society and many other Cancer related institutions, societies and associations.[1] Each year, more than 5,000 Relay For Life events take place in over twenty countries.[2] Events are held in local communities, university campuses and in virtual campaigns.[3] As the American Cancer Society's most successful fundraiser and the organization's signature event, the mission of Relay For Life is to raise funds to improve cancer survival, decrease the incidence of cancer, and improve the quality of life for cancer patients and their caretakers.[4]

A Relay For Life event is organized under a volunteer Relay Committee and implemented by volunteers.[5][6] It is often organized as a multi-day public gathering, spanning all day and night in a large outdoor space, and many people bring tents and camp out around the walking tracks. Currently, almost 4 million people take part in Relay events in over 5,000 communities in the United States.[7]

It is estimated that Relay For Life events have raised nearly $5 billion to date.[8] The first team to raise over $1 million was the Rosebud Miners.[9] The largest virtual fundraising event is Relay For Life of Second Life, which has raised more than $3,000,000 since 2005.[10]

The following countries hold Relay For Life events:[11]Australia, Belgium, Bermuda, Canada, France, Denmark, Guatemala, Honduras, Ireland, Jamaica, Japan, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Philippines, Portugal, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States and Zambia.

Relay For Life Mac S History Timeline

Origin[edit]

In May 1985, Dr. Gordon Klatt, a colorectal surgeon from Tacoma, Washington, decided he wanted to raise money for the American Cancer Society. Because he enjoyed marathons, Klatt walked around the track at Baker Stadium at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington for 24 hours. Throughout the night, friends paid $25 to run or walk 30 minutes with him. He walked approximately 83 miles and raised $27,000 for cancer research. Nearly 300 of Klatt's friends, family, and patients watched as he ran and walked the course. After this event, Klatt thought about how other people could participate in a similar event in their own community. He recruited a small team of people to host the City of Destiny Classic 24-Hour Run Against Cancer.[12]

Countries and their names[edit]

A lot of countries are participating with their own names.

CountryTranslationCancer Society
ArgentinaRelay for LifeLiga Argentina de Lucha Contra el Cáncer
AustraliaRelay for LifeCancer Council
BelgiumLevensloop (Dutch)

Relais pour la Vie (French)

Relay for Life (English)

Stichting tegen Kanker

Fondation contre le Cancer

Foundation against Cancer

BermudaRelay For Life of BermudaBermuda Cancer and Health Centre (founded by Ron Spencer III)
CanadaRelais pour la Vie (French)

Relay For Life (English)

Help needed!teach to be happy

Société canadienne du cancer

Canadian Cancer Society

FranceRelais pour la VieLigue Nationale Contre le Cancer
DenmarkStafet for LivetDanish Cancer Society
HondurasRelevo por la VidaAsociacion Hondurena de la Lucha Contra el Cancer
IndiaRelay For LifeIndian Cancer Society
IrelandRelay For LifeIrish Cancer Society
IsraelRelay For LifeIsrael Cancer Association
JamaicaRelay For LifeJamaica Cancer Society
JapanRelay For LifeJapan Cancer Society
KenyaRelay for LifeKencansa (Kenya Cancer Association)
LuxembourgRelais pour la VieFondation Cancer
MalaysiaRelay for LifeNCSM (National Cancer Society of Malaysia)
NetherlandsSamenloop voor HoopKWF Kanker bestrijding

Dutch Cancer Society

New ZealandRelay for LifeCancer Society of New Zealand
NorwayStafett for livetKreft Foreningen

Norwegian Cancer Society

PhilippinesRelay for LifePhilippine Cancer Society
PortugalUm dia pela VidaLiga Portuguesa Contra o Cancro
SingaporeRelay for LifeSingapore Cancer Society
South AfricaRelay for LifeCansa (Cancer Association of South Africa)
SwitzerlandRelay for LifeKrebsliga (Deutch)

Swiss Cancer League (English)

TurkeyRelay for LifePembe hanim
United Arab EmiratesRelay for LifeFOCP (Friends of Cancer Patients)
United KingdomRelay for LifeCancer Research UK
United StatesRelay for LifeAmerican Cancer Society
UruguayRelevo por la VidaPeluffo Giguens Foundation
ZambiaRelay for LifeZambian Cancer Society

Features[edit]

Luminaries at night.
The start of a Survivor's Lap.
Close-up of a luminaria placed at a Relay for Life.

Although all Relays vary, there are a few common features:[13]

  • A Survivor Dinner
  • A Survivor Lap, which starts the Relay event.
  • An Opening Lap, in which all the participants take a lap around the track
  • A Luminaria Ceremony, usually with a candlelight vigil
  • Many differing groups donate and march to raise funds for the day. This particular group was called the Gas Mask guys.
    A Closing Ceremony, including a final lap for all participants. Awards are given to teams for various achievements, such as most laps walked and most money raised.
  • A 'Fight Back' Ceremony, in which participants pledge to take specific actions against cancer.

Survivor Lap and Survivor Dinner[edit]

The American Cancer Society defines a cancer survivor as anyone who has been diagnosed with cancer.[14] At most Relay events, a Survivor Dinner is held for survivors in the community. The Survivor Lap, which is often the first lap of a Relay event, is used to identify the survivors. At some events, survivors are invited to speak at Relay events to encourage those with cancer.[15]

Luminaria Ceremony[edit]

At Relay For Life, participants celebrate survivors and remember those lost to the disease. The Luminaria Ceremony is targeted toward remembering.[16] During this time, participants are asked to gather and honor those who have survived cancer and to remember those who have died from cancer. Luminaria bags are often decorated by participants. These bags are often then placed around the track and candles inside the bags are lit before the start of the Luminaria Ceremony.[17] At some Relay events, pictures of cancer patients are shown as songs and readings are delivered.

Closing Ceremony[edit]

Relay for life mac s history chrome

The Closing Ceremony, held toward the end of Relay events, is when participants pledge to take action and spread awareness of cancer research, treatments, and prevention. Participants are encouraged to hold events in the community to increase awareness of smoking cessation, routine screenings, general cancer awareness and volunteer opportunities. A representative from the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) may come to a Relay event and speak about cancer prevention bills and legislation that are trying to be passed as well as encourage ACS CAN participation.[18]

Funds[edit]

The American Cancer Society states that money raised through Relay For Life events goes to the following efforts:[19]

Drawing

  • Research grants and research programs
  • Prevention programs
  • Community and patient support programs
  • Detection and treatment programs
  • Fundraising
  • Construction of Hope Lodges

What Does The Dollar Do?According to a study conducted by The American Cancer Society in 2013, the following was noted for how funds raised by Relay For Life have impacted communities nationwide:

  • Saved Patients more than $38 million in lodging costs by providing a free place to stay through the Hope Lodge program
  • Provided more than 380,000 rides to and from treatment or medical appointments
  • Contributed to a 50% drop in smoking since 1946
  • Marked a 20% decline in cancer related deaths since 1991. That means more than 1.3 million lives saved

Relay For Life Mac S History Yahoo

See also[edit]

References[edit]

History
  1. ^'American Cancer Society's Relay For Life of Hurley to Hold Golf Tournament'. Archived from the original on 7 November 2013. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
  2. ^'Tell Cancer to Take a Hike this Weekend in Ferndale'. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
  3. ^'Relay For Everyone'. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
  4. ^'Relay For Life of Mountain View, CA'. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
  5. ^'Relay For Life Volunteers'. Archived from the original on December 12, 2013. Retrieved 7 November 2013.
  6. ^'American Cancer Society - Relay For Life'. Retrieved 7 November 2013.
  7. ^'Dr. Gordy Klatt'. Retrieved 7 November 2013.
  8. ^'Kickoff tonight for Mansfield Relay For Life'. Archived from the original on December 10, 2013. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
  9. ^'Ford City Relay for Life seeks quarters'. Retrieved 7 November 2013.
  10. ^'History of RFL of SL'. Retrieved 10 October 2013.
  11. ^'American Cancer Society Relay Events - Relay For Life'. Archived from the original on August 25, 2011. Retrieved 13 January 2015.
  12. ^'Run Walk Ride Pioneers: Gordy Klatt, Relay for Life'. Archived from the original on 7 November 2013. Retrieved 7 November 2013.
  13. ^'About Relay For Life'. Retrieved 16 April 2013.
  14. ^'Cancer Survivors: Make Changes for Long-Term Health Gains'. Retrieved 10 October 2013.
  15. ^'Survivors and Caregivers'. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
  16. ^'Celebrate Remember, Fight Back At Castro Valley's 'Relay for Life''. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
  17. ^'Cancer survivors invited to celebrate at Relay For Life'. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
  18. ^'ACS CAN'. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
  19. ^'Relay for Life: Communities making a commitment to fight cancer'. Archived from the original on December 10, 2013. Retrieved 7 November 2013.

External links[edit]

Relay For Life Mac S History Chrome

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