Relay for Life events are scheduled across the U.S. to bring people together for a common cause: fighting cancer.

The events are organized by the American Cancer Society and are scheduled to begin next week. They are held in many countries including Australia, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Japan, Luxembourg, Malaysia, The Netherlands, New Zealand, the Philippines, Portugal, South Africa, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom.

 

Teams of friends, family members gather at their local race track, park, or sports field and take turns walking laps. They try to keep at least one member on the track at all times.

The goal of the American Cancer Society is to eliminate cancer and diminish victims’ suffering through research and education. Everyone has the opportunity to participate in the fight against cancer.

 

The 2009 Relay for Life marks the 25th anniversary of the Relay for Life movement, which was started by Dr. Gordy Klatt of Washington, who on the first year managed to raise $24,000 when he walked around a track for 24 hours.

 

“Relay For Life is a humbling, inspirational and energizing journey that I encourage everyone to take part in.  Working with volunteers and team captains is an amazing experience and just as cancer doesn’t discriminate, Relay holds no barriers to entry either. Every dollar raised helps us to continue providing cancer patients with free services, to promote early detection and healthy lifestyles and to fund cancer research,” says the chair of Relay for Life in New Zeeland, Katherine Monks, according to Relay’s Website.