Relay For Life began in 1985 when Dr. Gordon Klatt, a Tacoma, Washington surgeon and an American Cancer Society volunteer, ran and walked for 24 hours to raise money for the ACS. He traveled a total of 81 miles and raised $27,000 for the fight against cancer.

The following year, 220 supporters on 19 teams joined Dr, Klatt in this overnight event and the American Cancer Society Relay For Life was born.

The American Cancer Society adopted Relay For Life as their Signature Event in 1994. In the last 25 years, the Relay for Life has spread to over 5,000 communities in the United States. Nearly 3.5 million participants raised $386 million to fund the American Cancer Society's mission in 2009.

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.

The money raised at Relay For Life goes to support every aspect of the American Cancer Society's fight against cancer. Relay donations are not dedicated to one specific type of cancer but go toward the Society’s research programs, local patient services, education and advocacy efforts.

Locally, the Relay For Life of Cheshire has broken records for funds raised and the number of participants for our local Community.

Recap of the past 14 years

Several thousand cancer survivors, their families, and friends come to a special luminary candle lighting service designed to honor and remember people who have been struck by cancer.  Thousands of luminary bags line the Cheshire High School track, guiding the walkers/runners through the night.

Relay For Life Facts Nationwide:

• Relay For Life raised $386 million in 2009.

• 9 Million gifts in 2009.  

• $1.25 per capita income nationwide in 2009

• $25.8 million raised from all-youth and college campus events. 

• Averaged $77,000 per event in 2009.

• $3.47 billion raised since 1985/$1.2 billion raised in the last three years.

• Online giving increased by $8.5 million to nearly $72 million.

• 118 Research Grants totaling $52 million in New England Division 2004.

Relay Contributions at Work:

The money raised has played a key role in ACS accomplishments such as:

• Since 1946 the American Cancer Society has invested more than $3.4 billion in research.  Currently we are funding $485 M in research.  Current grants in New England total more then $60 million- $8 million in Connecticut.

• Funding 44 Nobel Prize-winning researchers

• Investing in studies that led to discoveries like the Pap test, bone marrow transplants, Tamoxifen, and Gleevec.

• Supplying valuable resources to anyone, anytime, through a toll-free information line, 1-800-ACS-2345, and Web site www.cancer.org.

• Working with legislators to make sure that cancer issues are addressed in a timely manner with the attention and funding they need.

• Campaigning for important legislative victories like the Breast Cancer and Cervical Cancer Treatment Act and expanded Medicare benefits for cancer screenings.

• Offering patients support and a network of other cancer survivors in their communities through programs like 'Man to Man' and 'Reach to Recovery'.

• Providing tools and programs, such as Look Good...Feel Better, for patients and survivors dealing with the physical effects of the disease.