What is the Relay For Life?

An American Cancer Society Relay For Life event is an overnight community gathering that gives everyone an opportunity to fight cancer and help save lives.  At Relay For Life events, teams camp out at a local school, park, or fairground and take turns walking around the track or path.  All team members are asked to raise a minimum of $100 each, and, because cancer never sleeps, each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the event.  
At the event, participants celebrate survivors, remember loved ones lost, and learn more about how to fight back against cancer.  Relay events raise much needed funds while increasing awareness of cancer prevention, early detection, treatment, and American Cancer Society patient support services.
The Relay celebration can truly be symbolized by the courage and spirit of the survivors and caregivers in your community.  The Survivors Lap, which opens every Relay For Life Event, ensures that survivors and caregivers -  and everyone who is there to cheer them on - experience the healing and celebration and are charged to take action to help finish the fight against cancer.  
When the sun goes down, Luminaria bags light the track in remembrance of those we've lost to cancer and in honor of those who are still fighting or those who have fought cancer and won.  For many, the Luminaria Ceremony symbolizes hope and perseverance, and for others it is a time for healing.
The Fight Back ceremony symbolizes the emotional commitment each participant can make in the fight against cancer and inspires them to take action.  The action taken represents what we are willing to do for ourselves, for our loved ones, and for our community to fight cancer year-round and commit to saving more lives. 
How can you get involved?  Join or start a team!  The Relay For Life of South County is on June 20-21 this year at Narragansett High School.  To sign up, go to www.relayforlife.org/southcountyri.  For more information, call 401-243-2639.