What Is the Relay For Life?

Some of the Special Activities

Survivor’s Celebration (11:00 am Saturday): Cancer survivors young and old from the community are invited to begin the Relay by walking the survivor’s victory lap. This opening to the event is a declaration to the community that we are here to celebrate cancer survivorship. After the lap, survivors and their caregivers are treated to a brunch hosted by Windham Hospital (noon-12:45). Survivors can relax, mingle and learn more about programs and services that are available.  Survivor check-in starts at 9:00 am.   Survivors should RSVP ahead of time by contacting Nancy Austin at 860 228-3395 or aataustin@hotmail.com.

Fight Back Ceremony (1 pm Saturday):  Take a pledge to do something to help fight cancer, whether it is making healthy lifestyle choices to volunteering.  A special ceremony will be followed by a "Fight Back Lap".

Children's Lap (4:00 pm on Saturday)

This culminates the organized children's activities that take place from 1:30-4:00.  The children take a pledge to make healthy lifestyle choices, and to ensure others to do the same.  Then we cheer them on as they take their special lap.

Children's Activities (1:30-4:00 pm on Saturday)

Informative games, arts & crafts and other activities take place that allow the children to learn about healthy lifestyle choices, and to show their support for cancer patients and their caregivers.  This is not a babysittting service.  It is an interactive area for children to become more fully involved in the Relay.

Luminaria Service (8:30 p.m. Saturday): A torch dedication initiates the start of the luminaria service. All of the stadium lights are extinguished and we hold our luminaria service. Lit candles are placed in bags bearing the names of people who are cancer survivors or have succumbed to the disease. There is a musical tribute as each name is scrolled onto a screen.  Everyone takes some quiet time to look at the luminarias and to consider the heartfelt stories behind them. The light from the luminarias keeps team members company throughout the night, lighting their way along the track until sunrise. A special ceremony will take place Sunday morning during which the bags will be emptied and collected. There is also a special sunrise interfaith ceremony.

In order for names to be included in the scrolling tribute, luminarias must be purchased by 6:00 pm on Saturday, October 16th. ( Luminarias will continue to be sold until 7:00 pm, but will not be displayed on the screen.)