Why We Relay ALL Night Long.

Relay For Life starts one evening and ends the next morning. The light and darkness of the day and night parallel the physical effects, emotion, and mental state of a cancer patient while undergoing treatment.


Relay begins in the peaceful light of the early evening, just as cancer patients begin with a healthy body. Relay continues as the sun is setting symbolizing patients as they are diagnosed with cancer. The day grows darker representing cancer patients’ fear as they feel their lives are coming to an end.


As the evening goes on it gets colder and darker, mirroring the emotions of the cancer patients. The time from 1:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. represents the time when the cancer patients start treatment. They become exhausted, some sick, not wanting to go on, possibly wanting to give up. As a participant, you have been walking and feel much the same way. You are tired, want to sleep, maybe even want to go home, but you cannot stop or give up.


The time period from 4:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. symbolizes the coming of the end of treatment for the cancer patients. Once again they are tired, but they know they will make it.


The sun rising represents the end of treatment for the cancer patients. They see the light at the end of the tunnel and know that life will go on. The morning light brings on a new day full of life and excitement for new beginnings. As a participant, you will feel the brightness of the morning and know that the end of the Relay For Life is close at hand.


When you leave the Relay For Life, think of cancer patients leaving their last treatment. Just as you are exhausted and weak, so are they after treatment.


There is no finish line until we find a cure!