51 Teams Participating in Georgia Tech Relay for Life

Dr. Gordy Klatt walked and ran for 24 hours around a track in Tacoma, WA, in 1985 and raised $27,000 for the American Cancer Society, assisting in its mission to fight cancer across the country.

The following year, 340 supporters joined in that effort. Now called the Relay for Life, this national movement and event has raised nearly $5 billion to fight cancer.

Relay for Life is an organized, overnight community fundraising walk where teams of people camp out around a track, each of the members taking turns walking. Usually, this family friendly event is surrounded by games, entertainment and food.

Communities hold Relay for Life events across the country, and throughout the year, the first one in Atlanta being Saturday, March 11, at Georgia Tech.

Fifty one teams and 488 participants have raised $20,468.20 for this Saturday's event, which runs from 4-11 pm.

Here are the rest of the dates for Relay for Life events around metro Atlanta:

• Relay For Life of Georgia Tech. Griffin Track, March 12, 2016
• Relay For Life of Emory University. McDonough Field April 2, 2016
• Relay For Life of North Atlanta. Blackburn Park, April 29, 2016
• Relay For Life of Delta G.O. Delta General Offices, May 5, 2016
• Relay For Life of Delta Day of Hope. Hartsfield - Jackson Atlanta International, May 11, 2016
• Relay For Life of Vinings Buckhead. The Lovett School, June 3, 2016
• Relay for Life of Corporate Atlanta. College Football Hall of Fame, Aug. 25, 2016

Photo via Relay for Life