We’re here to answer any questions you might have about Relay For Life. Below are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions, but if you have questions that are not answered or are in need of other assistance, please visit our Help page.
Event FAQ | Online FAQ
What is Relay For Life?
The American Cancer Society Relay For Life is a life-changing event that gives everyone in communities across the globe a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease. At Relay, teams of people camp out at a local high school, park, or fairground and take turns walking or running around a track or path. Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the event. Because cancer never sleeps, Relays are overnight events up to 24 hours in length.
Relay began in 1985 when Dr. Gordy Klatt, a colorectal surgeon in Tacoma, Washington, ran and walked around a track for 24 hours to raise money for the American Cancer Society. Since then, Relay has grown from a single man’s passion to fight cancer into the world’s largest movement to end the disease. Each year, more than 3.5 million people in 5,000 communities in the United States, along with additional communities in 19 other countries, gather to take part in this global phenomenon and raise much-needed funds and awareness to save lives from cancer. Thanks to Relay participants, we are creating a world with more birthdays a world where cancer can’t claim another year of anyone’s life. Read more on our Relay For Life information page.
Why Relay?
Relay For Life is more than just a fundraiser. It’s a life-changing experience. 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.
Everyone's reason to Relay is as unique as their own personal story. At Relay, you can find healing, comfort, and support from others who have faced cancer or who have lost a loved one to the disease. You have a chance to meet people in the community who are equally as passionate about finding an end to cancer in our lifetime. You can thank all the people who have done so much to support you through your personal cancer experience. And you can gather together with friends, family, and colleagues to laugh, cry, and create lasting memories.
No matter why you take part in Relay, however, one thing is clear: with every step you take, you are helping the American Cancer Society save lives. With your help, we aren’t just fighting one type of cancer we’re fighting for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. Each person who shares the Relay experience can take pride in knowing that they are working to create a world where this disease will no longer threaten the lives of our loved ones or claim another year of anyone’s life.
Who can participate?
Anyone can participate in Relay For Life. Teams of people from all walks of life have fun while raising much-needed funds and awareness to help the American Cancer Society save lives. The success of Relay For Life depends on individuals who commit to raising money and the people who donate to them. Friends, families, neighbors, classmates, companies, sports teams, etc., can form their own teams. No matter who you are, there’s a place for you at Relay.
Is there a required minimum amount to raise?
There is not a required amount of money to raise in order to participate in Relay For Life. The American Cancer Society's recommendation is for each participant to set a personal goal to raise $100. If you raise more, that's even better. If you do raise $100, you will receive your commemorative Relay For Life event t-shirt!
How much money does Relay For Life raise for the American Cancer Society?
Since 1985, Relay For Life events across the United States have collected more than $3.5 billion in the fight against cancer. In 2008, over 5,000 Relay For Life events across the country raised more than $409 million.
What happens with the money raised from Relay For Life?
Through Relay For Life, we mobilize the world’s largest movement to to defeat cancer once and for all. We’re fighting for every birthday, threatened by every cancer, in every community. We save lives and create more birthdays by helping you stay well, helping you get well, by finding cures, and by fighting back.The monetary support you provide is invested wisely. Learn more about how your donation helps save lives in California.
Where can I go to find more information about Relay For Life?
Please visit RelayForLife.org for information, resources, blogs, forums, and much more! You may also want to visit our Help page to get in touch with your local American Cancer Society office for information on your specific Relay For Life event.
How do I sign up online?
We offer a quick and easy way for you to sign up for Relay For Life and raise money online.
Simply go to your event home page. Then, click the Sign Up button and choose to start a team (if you are a team captain) or join an existing team (if you are a team member). From there, follow the few easy steps to complete the process. If you have questions about signing up, please do not hesitate to contact us.
If I signed up last year, will I be able to access last year's information?
Welcome back and we are happy you are participating in Relay For Life again this year! As long as you sign up for the same event you participated in last year, you’ll be able to access your personal address book and fundraising page from the year before, which will make it easier than ever to get started. Just select "Log In" before you sign up and enter your username/password from last year.
What if I've forgotten my username and password?
Remember that your username and password are case sensitive. If you need to, you can follow this link to request your password now. You will receive an email with your information.
How can I edit my responses to the registration questions?
From the main page of your Participant Center, choose Edit Registration Responses.
How do I remove the degree, middle name, etc from my personal page?
Select “Change Profile” underneath your username and password log in section at the top right of the screen. Then choose, “Edit Your Profile”.
How do I resize the file size of a photo?
Visit this simple to use website: http://adionsoft.net/fastimageresize/ and download the tool. Once it is downloaded to your computer, you simply drag your picture into the tool and select the size you’d like.
How do I promote a member to captain? Co-captain to captain? Demote a captain to member?
You can only do this if you are a team captain.
From the Participant Center home page, click the Team Progress icon on the right side of the page
Scroll down the page to the Team Roster.
Find the name of the team member you wish to promote and click Promote underneath that person’s name. Same for demoting a captain. Just remember, you’ll have to have a captain in place before you can demote one…a team always needs a captain!
How do I delete a team member?
Please contact your online chair for assistance.
My honor roll scroll has a typo?
Please contact your online chair for assistance.
I paid the registration fee online, can I have that show in my thermometer?
No, registration fees do not count towards your individual or team fundraising totals. The registration fee will still count to the overall total the Relay raises, but not for fundraising individual or team goals.
Once I make a contribution, will my name be placed on various mailing lists?
The American Cancer Society maintains records of all contributions. The Society may contact you with further communications. You can choose to opt out from further financial contribution activities or any contact from the Society. For more information, see the Internet Privacy Policy. Convio collects and maintains only personal information that is voluntarily submitted to us through the web site. Convio will not share personally identifiable information with a third party unless the individual submitting this information has given permission, or if Convio is required to by law.
Who is Convio?
Convio is a leading provider of online fundraising and web constituent relationship management (CRM) solutions for nonprofits.
Is my credit card donation secure?
Yes, the American Cancer Society has made every effort to protect your information. We use industry-standard SSL encryption techniques to make sure that your credit card information, passwords, and personal information travel securely over the Internet. We have also installed an encryption engine on our database server so that your data is securely stored.
How do I receive a receipt for my online contributions?
You will receive an email confirmation after completing your donation and credit card information. This email is your official gift receipt, and you may print it and save it for your records. If you do not receive a gift receipt, please contact your online chair, local staff member, or event chair.
How do I donate by mail?
If you would like to make a donation to a specific Relay participant, you may print a donation form by clicking on the printable donation form link on the participant’s personal donation page. Complete the form and mail it to your local American Cancer Society office.
What if I have more questions?
Please visit our Help page to get in touch with your local American Cancer Society. You can also call us anytime, day or night at 1-800-ACS-2345.
