American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life in Palo Alto
The American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life movement unites communities worldwide, making it the world’s largest fundraising event to finish the fight against cancer. Palo Alto High School will host a Relay For Life event on June 27, 2015 where teams will raise money and walk in honor of cancer survivors as well as to remember those who lost their battle against the disease.
2015 marks the event’s 30th anniversary, which began in 1985 when Dr. Gordy Klatt walked and ran for 24 hours, ultimately raising awareness and $27,000 toward the American Cancer Society’s fight against cancer. A year later, 340 others joined in, raising $33,000 at the first ‘official’ Relay For Life event. Today, more than 20 countries and 4 million participants have raised upwards of $5 billion to fund cancer research, supporting education and prevention efforts, and providing free information and services for those affected by the disease.
Each Relay For Life event is an organized, overnight community fundraising walk where teams pitch tents and camp at local community centers, schools, parks or fairgrounds. Team members take turns walking for a 24-hour period, symbolizing the ‘around-the-clock’ battle waged by those fighting cancer. Food, games, activities and special ceremonies create an uplifting, family-friendly atmosphere that builds camaraderie. Opening the Relay, all cancer survivors take the first lap around the track in celebration of overcoming their fight against cancer. The Luminaria Ceremony offers a glowing tribute to hundreds of individuals. Taking place after dark, lit candles are placed in paper bags dedicated in remembrance to those who have lost their fight against the disease. The Fight Back Ceremony inspires participants to take year-round action in their personal lives and within their community to combat this disease.
To date, over $12,000 has been raised by Relay teams for the Palo Alto event. The Relay For Life event at Palo Alto High School takes place June 27th and you can sign up, make a donation or get more details at the link above.
