What Is the Relay For Life?

All About the Relay For Life

This year's theme is "Let's Celebrate More Birthdays!"

Our efforts will help cancer survivors celebrate more birthdays.

Relay For Life is the American Cancer Society’s nationwide signature event. The overnight event raises money and awareness while serving as a celebration for cancer survivors, a memorial for loved ones lost, and a rally for the community. Over 4,000 Relays take place across the nation each year.   The first Windham Area Relay was in 1997. There were 20 teams and $33,000 was raised.  In 2009 we had 95 teams that raised over $185,000.

Some members of "The Kings of the Road" team

Teams are formed from businesses, clubs, families, friends, schools and other organizations. Each team has at least one member on the track during the 24-hour event. Each participant pays a $10 commitment fee and tries to raise at least $125 - money that supports American Cancer Society programs of research, education, advocacy, and patient services.

As the Relay begins, teams pitch tents and some even decorate their campsites in a theme they have chosen. (Each team chooses a team name and theme.  They are encouraged to print the name on the back of their T-shirts.  Some examples include: “Leap For Faith ”, “Teen Angels”, and “Cancer Beaters”.  It could be a dedication to a loved one lost to cancer.)  There will be limited area designated for campers, so you must sign up for your space early.  Important: Campers may be no larger than 21 feet and cannot be brought to the site until the morning of the Relay. Click here for camping rules.

The first lap is taken by cancer survivors.  Someone is considered a cancer survivor from the moment that they are diagnosed with cancer.  They proudly wear the medals that are awarded to them and then we cheer them on as they take their lap.  Afterwards they are treated to a luncheon.  Survivors should sign up for this ceremony ahead of time so that we can adequately plan, but it is possible to register that morning.  There is no fee for this.  It is our gift to the survivors.  If a survivor is too weak or cannot travel to the event, they can still be registered and a friend or family member can pick up their medal and walk in their honor. There is a survivor invitation letter that can be downloaded from the "Forms" section of this website.

Team members bring sleeping bags, food, games and whatever they need to get them through the 24-hour event. Team members take turns walking shifts on the track. Throughout the evening and into the next day, everyone enjoys entertainment, fun and camaraderie. There are games, music, contests and lots of special activities. There are also special laps to commemorate groups ("Survivor's Lap", "Caregiver's Lap", "Quitter's Lap", "Fight Back Lap").  Some of the special activities include luminaria lighting, a Sunday morning sunrise interfaith service and a blessing of the luminaria. Luminaria are bags with the names of the people that we are remembering and fighting for.  A candle is lit in each bag prior to the Luminaria Service on Saturday night.  These luminarias light our way through the night.  Forms for purchasing the luminaria can be downloaded from the "Forms" section of this website.

Youth Teams (including college student teams):

• During the day there must be at least 2 chaperones (at least 1 chaperone must be over the age of 25, others must be approved by Relay Officials)  During the curfew hours, there must be at least 1 chaperone for every 10 youth team members (with a minimum of 2 chaperones if your team is 10 or less).  At least 1 chaperone must attend a Chaperone Meeting (September 9th).
• There is a curfew from 11:00 pm-5:00 am where no youth may enter or leave unless accompanied by a parent or chaperone.  In order for a youth to be on the grounds during the curfew, they must have a wristband that indicates that they have raised and turned in at least $100 in donations.
• Please refer to our rules sheet in the forms section of this web site concerning rules and restrictions concerning campsites, behavior, etc.  (For example... no glass containers, no smoking or alcohol, no skateboards/bikes, no pets, regulations concerning campfires/grills...)
• Campsites will not be issued to teams unless permission slips, chaperone forms, emergency contact form and verification of required donations collected are handed in by Bank Night.  Camping space is limited, so the earlier you register and meet the requirements the better chance you have of securing a camping space.