The American Cancer Society Relay For Life movement is one of the world’s largest peer-to-peer fundraising event to save lives from cancer. This community of like-minded survivors, caregivers, volunteers, and participants is currently connecting in different ways because of the COVID-19 pandemic. National Relay Weekend hosted May 14th & 15th, is an opportunity for Relayers across the country to unite to honor loved ones, participate in 24-hours of activities for the entire family and celebrate our impact in the fight against cancer.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Friday
8 PM CST – Opening Ceremony
11 PM CST – Late Night Zumba
Saturday
10 AM CST – Survivor / Caregiver Ceremony
11 AM CST – Brunch with Celebrity Chef, Marcus Samuelsson
2 PM CST – Fight Back Ceremony
5 PM CST – Celebrity Entertainment
7 PM CST – Luminaria Ceremony
8PM CST – Closing Ceremony
Can you participate in all 24 activities? Stay up all night and join a Tik Tok party, Zumba class, take themed laps around your house or neighborhood, learn about the mission of ACS and much much more.
Spirit Week
Monday, May 10
Motivation Monday
Walk for 24 minutes and raise $24 to represent the 24 hours that Dr. Gordy Klatt walked during the first Relay For Life.
Make sure to use #RelayForLife.
Tuesday, May 11
T-Shirt Tuesday
Wear your favorite Relay shirt. Snap a pic and share on social – why is it your favorite?
Make sure to use #RelayForLife.
Wednesday, May 12
Why I Relay Wednesday
Share your reason to Relay.
Make sure to use # WhyIRelay & #RelayForLife.
Thursday, May 13
Throwback Thursday
Celebrate your Relay history and post a photo of your favorite Relay memory. Share why it’s your favorite!
Make sure to use #RelayForLife.
Friday, May 14
Festive Friday
Share your Relay spirit! Set-up your campsite, decorate your space, decorate yourself, and get ready to Relay!
Make sure to use #RelayForLife.
Sunday, May 16
Cup o’Cure Sunday
It’s the day after Relay! Grab morning coffee in your favorite Relay mug or glass and share your favorite photo from Relay Weekend. #RelayForLife.
Facebook Fundraising Challenge
Fund the Future – Connect your Facebook fundraiser through your participant dashboard and raise at least $100 on Facebook between Friday, May 14 & Tuesday, May 18. Plus, the top 10 individuals across the country who raise the most money through a Facebook Fundraiser connected through an ACS Event dashboard between Friday, May 14, at 12:00 a.m. CT and Tuesday, May 18, at 11:59 p.m. CT will win an Apple Watch.
Here are some images to help you fundraise and share this information with others. (A leaderboard will be available on 5/15)
Can you participate in 24 activities in 24 hours?
Get ready for National Relay Weekend by preparing for the 24 activity challenge. See all 24 activities below! (more information and support coming soon)
An app will be available for you to use to track all activities soon!
1.Watch the Opening Ceremony
2. Watch the Survivor/Caregiver Ceremony
3. Watch the Fight Back Ceremony
4. Watch the Luminaria Ceremony
5. Watch the Closing Ceremony
6. Login to your Relay Dashboard and update your personal fundraising page story.
7. Make sure you’ve started a Facebook Fundraiser via your Relay Dashboard.
8. Join the Facebook Fundraising Challenge – Raise $100 on Facebook between 5/14-5/18.
9. Light a luminaria. Post it on social media and ask friends to dedicate a luminaria to a loved one.
10. Go to RelayForLife.org/RelayWeekend to see full schedule and activities for National Relay Weekend
11. Download National Relay Weekend app and register/login (app available by May 10)
12. Learn about what ACS is doing to advance Health Equity and share with a friend today.
13. Hear from Gold Together volunteer Cole Eicher.
14. Schedule your appointment for your next cancer screening test (or ask a friend/family member to schedule theirs)
15. Hear from a Heroes of Research team about the researcher they’ve funded.
16. Let’s get fit! Sign up for a live (11pm CST) or youtube Zumba class
17. It’s party time. Follow American Cancer Society on TikTok and join the party at 1 AM CST!
18. We walk even when its dark: Take a pic of you taking a themed lap while at night!
19. Late Night Movie! Favorite Movie? Favorite Snacks? Purple Snacks? Post a photo of your movie night set up.
20. Share Your Campsite – Submit a photo of your campsite set up at home
21. Minute To Win It – Check out the sample minute to win it game. Post a photo of your group playing one of the games!
22. Bake/Make Something Purple – Submit a photo of a yummy homemade purple treat
23. Virtual Purple Ribbon – Let’s get creative! Paint, draw, or go digital and let’s see your purple ribbon! Post your ribbon photo!
24. Blindfolded Make Over – Let us see you give your Relay Friend or Family Member a makeover! But you have to be blindfolded? Post your photos!
Tools to Help YOU Plan for National Relay Weekend
Share about National Relay Weekend in your community on Social. Use these images and share locally!
Participate in the LUMINARIA CEREMONY!
Create your own luminaria. You can use this document to print a template – cut off the top and bottom – then fold in half. Add a light source in the corner – and you have your luminaria!
More instructions for creating a cylinder shaped luminaria at home>
Want to be a part of the luminaria ceremony? By Saturday, May 8 – email your tribute (as a picture, video, name or a picture of your luminaria) to RelayForLife@cancer.org. Include if the tribute is “In Memory,” “In Honor,” “In Support,” or however you’d like to celebrate the loved one.
JAM with fellow Relayers
What's happening in your community?
Many communities will host something locally (safely) to participate in National Relay Weekend. Share what you are doing on May 14-15 on the Relay Community Group on Facebook and maybe you’ll be highlighted on National Relay Weekend. See below for what other Relay communities will be doing.
Follow & Like Relay For Life on social to participate in National Relay Weekend