Relay is not a race – it’s a celebration and awareness-raising event for the survivors and families of those with cancer - it’s a time for remembrance. Started in 1985 by an American Cancer Society volunteer, Relay is now the biggest fundraiser for cancer in 20 countries around the world and it has become the American Cancer Society’s signature programme for advocacy and cancer awareness. As guests of the American Cancer Society, six New Zealand Cancer Society representatives have had the opportunity to attend Relays in the United States in order to collaborate and share invaluable knowledge.

Relay is a wonderful source of inspiration for tens of thousands of people year after year.  Resourced by volunteers and supported by many community-minded businesses to help the Cancer Society contain costs, the Relay event unites the community in the fight against cancer.

The Cancer Society of New Zealand held their first Relay in Palmerston North in 2001 and it was an instant success. The Manawatu region’s early work has since benefited all NZ Relays and nearly $17 million dollars has now been raised by over 1300 teams from a combined total of 87 Relays. The Wellington Relay teams broke the Australasian record by raising over $500,000 in 2008 and the Fundraising Institute of New Zealand recognized this by conferring the Cancer Society Wellington with the Award For Excellence - Special Events. 

The chair of Relay For Life in New Zealand, Katherine Monks says, “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. As a family who have been affected directly by cancer, it is the best event I have ever been involved in”. 

At the event team members take turns to keep the Relay going overnight while they enthusiastically join in activities and create a wonderful atmosphere for everyone. Participants can camp overnight and stay for the whole event, or just visit to do a few laps, or perhaps simply contribute their presence. 

 "The candlelight ceremony was wonderful, really special, very moving … and the performers added to
a very humbling, tearful and heartfelt atmosphere".

Logistics

• Teams consist of 10 or more: a Team Captain is elected, a Team name selected, and members submit a registration fee which will vary according to where the event is being held. Teams are encouraged to set and achieve their own FUNdraising goals in advance of the Relay and to be as creative as they wish about how they will walk, stroll or run around the track. FUNdraising can be achieved on either an individual basis or as a team.
  
• At least one member of the team should be on the track for the duration of Relay to keep the baton passing. They are encouraged by their supporters and the electric and celebratory atmosphere that is created by the trackside entertainment and the vibrancy of everyone camping together overnight.
  
• After you have registered you will receive a thank you confirmation, a login and password and access to the team captain and team member pages.

 “As a small family team at our first Relay we had an amazing time and can’t wait to do it again next year”.