How The Relay For Life Started

One person really can make a difference.  Nowhere is that more evident than with the story of the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life, which began in Tacoma, WA.

In the mid-1980s, Dr. Gordy Klatt, a Tacoma colorectal surgeon, wanted to enhance the income of his local American Cancer Society office.  He decided to personally raise money for the fight by doing something he enjoyed - running marathons.  In May 1985, Dr. Klatt spent a grueling 24 hours circling the track at Baker Stadium at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma for more than 83 miles.  Throughout the night, friends paid $25 to run or walk 30 minutes with him.  He raised $27,000 to fight cancer.  That first year, nearly 300 of Dr. Klatt's friends, family, and patients watched as he ran and walked the course.

While he circled the track those 24 hours, he thought about how others could take part.  He envisioned a 24-hour team relay event that could raise more money to fight cancer.  Months later, he pulled together a small committee to plan the first team relay event known as the City of Destiny Classic 24-Hour Run Against Cancer.

In 1986, 19 teams took part in the first team relay event on the track of the colorful, historical Stadium Bowl, raising $33,000.  The rest is history!  Since that day in 1985, Relays have sprouted up everywhere across the country.  In 2006, the American Cancer Society hosted more than 4,000 Relays, including more than 180 here in New England!  Did you know that there are more Relays in the United States than Walmarts?

There are also Relays going on globally, including countries such as Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the Philippines, Portugal, South Africa, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, and Venezuela.  All because of one man who wanted to make a difference in the fight against cancer!