Relay for Life of Clearwater, a volunteer driven event, will return on May 13th – 14th in Coachman Park, Downtown Clearwater. This annual event has been taking place for 11 years, and the 12th year is promising to be the best yet. At a total of more than 1,500 deaths from cancer a day, communities are fighting to curb these statistics. All proceeds from Relay for Life go to funding cancer research with the aims of stomping out the disease. While the Clearwater RFL theme is “Make Cancer History,” the event has an interesting history of its own.
How it Began:
The Relay for Life movement began in May of 1985 when surgeon Dr. Gordon Klatt honored his patients by walking around the track at the University of Puget Sound for 24 hours, symbolizing how cancer never sleeps. Friends paid $25 to walk or run with Dr. Klatt for 30 minutes throughout the night, and he ended up raising $27,000 for cancer research.
In 1986, Dr. Klatt began the first formal Relay for Life event with a small group of people. To date, Relay for Life has grown into a worldwide phenomenon, with almost 4 million people in over 5,000 communities throughout the United States alone. Over $3 billion has been raised for the American Cancer Society.
Clearwater’s Relay for Life History:
The first Relay for Life of Clearwater was held in 1999 in Countryside High School, and has continued as an annual community event, with prominent community members including Mayor Frank Hibbard participating in the volunteer driven event.
This year:
During this year’s Relay for Life of Clearwater, on site fundraising will take place, in addition to activities and games. The lives of those who have successfully battled cancer will be celebrated, and the loved ones we have lost to the disease will be honored. A survivor dinner will be provided by Crabby Bill’s.
In addition to raising money for cancer research, the event also helps spread cancer awareness. Cancer is the second most common form of death in the United States, accounting for one out of four deaths, and 569,490 Americans are expected to die from the disease this year alone, according to the American Cancer Society.
As stated on the Relay for Life website, “At Relay, every person in the community has a chance to celebrate, remember, and fight back. And every person who participates joins others around the globe as part of this worldwide movement to end cancer.”
Relay for Life of Clearwater is proudly sponsored by VITAS Innovative Hospice Care and Dr. Cesar Lara Center For Weight Management and will be held in Coachman Park on May 13th and 14th at Coachman Park in Downtown Clearwater. For more information, visit the Relay for Life Clearwater website. www.relayforlife.org/clearwaterfl
Relay for Life of Clearwater is reaching out to all community members to sign up a team and participate, please contact Tammy Ashe at tammy.ashe@cancer.org or (727)-812-7003.
About Relay For Life:
Relay for Life is the American Cancer Society’s signature fundraising event, and is driven by volunteers. Relay for Life began in 1985 when colorectal surgeon Dr. Gordon Klatt decided to raise money for the American Cancer Society in honor of his patients by walking around a track in a 24 hour period. Today, Relay For Life events are held in more than 5,000 communities spanning 21 countries and have raised an estimated over $3 billion. All proceeds go to funding cancer research with the aims of stomping out the disease.
In addition to fundraising, the event also raises awareness of the disease and furthers the American Cancer Society’s efforts to save lives by helping people stay well, helping them get well, and by finding cures and fighting back.
More information on Relay for Life is available at www.relayforlife.org.
About the American Cancer Society:
The American Cancer Society is a nationwide community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, and advocacy.
The American Cancer Society is the nation’s largest non-governmental investor in cancer research, contributing about $3.4 billion to date. As a result, more than 11 million people in America who have cancer will be celebrating their next birthday.
To learn more about the American Cancer Society, visit www.cancer.org.
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