American Cancer Society, ACS, Relay For Life is an overnight team event to celebrate cancer survivorship and raise money for cancer research and cancer programs. All cancer survivors in the community are invited to join the Survivors Lap, part of the opening ceremonies of the Relay For Life event. During the event, teams of people gather at schools, fairgrounds, or parks and take turns walking or running laps. Each team tries to keep at least one team member on the track at all times. At the end of the day, the Ceremony of Hope and Luminaria are special tributes to remember those lost to cancer, support those fighting cancer, and celebrate cancer survivors. Communities aross the country are looking for volunteers and participants in their local Relay for Life. For more information, visit ASC's Relay For Life webpage, for details on how to sign up, or contact your local ACS office. 

In 1985, Relay for Life began with one man, Dr. Gordy Klatt, a Tacoma colorectal surgeon, who wanted to create a way to raise more money for his local American Cancer Society office. On September 19-20, 2006, nearly 4,000 American Cancer Society Celebration Ambassadors will gather in Washington, DC for Celebration on the Hill 2006, an event designed to impress upon the nation's lawmakers how the American Cancer Society is waging the fight against cancer in communities nationwide.