What is Relay For Life? - Canadian Cancer Society

About Relay For Life

A girl walking on the Relay For Life track

What is Relay For Life?


Since 1999 Relay For Life has united a collective of Canadians, who are a force-for-life in the face of cancer. At Relay For Life events, participants of all ages gather at a community space and take turns walking around a track or path to symbolize the perseverance and action needed to improve lives and change the future of cancer forever.

During Relay, we honour Participants of Hope during our first lap the Lap of Hope. When the sun goes down, luminaries light the track in memory of those we have lost.

Honour Participants of Hope

Cancer can affect our lives in countless ways. At Relay for Life, Participants of Hope are those who are living with cancer, a cancer survivor, or carrying a genetic risk for the disease. We will honor our Participants of Hope during the first lap around the track. Our Participants of Hope can also drop by our Hope Lounge for a welcoming experience.

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Luminary ceremony

Whether you Relay for a parent, child, grandparent or friend, luminaries are a powerful symbol that our loved ones are always in our hearts. The Luminary Ceremony at Relay For Life allows us to honour and remember those we love, every step of the way. Find out more and create a personalized luminary here.

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Why we relay


Wherever your Relay takes place, you will be joining thousands of people across the country who have shown up to support their communities. Join us, and together, we can give people with cancer the help and support they need to lead more fulfilling lives.

No other organization does all that we do to improve lives today and to change the future of cancer forever. With your donations, we’re able to:

fund the brightest minds in cancer research

provide a compassionate support system for all those affected by cancer, from coast to coast and for all types of cancer

work with governments to establish health policies to prevent cancer and better support those living with the disease

About the Canadian Cancer Society


At the Canadian Cancer Society, we are committed to uniting and inspiring Canadians to take control of cancer. That’s why we are always funding high-performance research that improves cancer outcomes and addresses the greatest opportunities for progress. It’s why we lead change in the most pressing areas of cancer policy including prevention, access, affordability and support. And it’s why we provide the highest quality cancer information for all Canadians, promote cancer prevention and provide targeted support to help people with cancer, their families and caregivers cope. We set ourselves apart from other cancer charities by taking a comprehensive approach against cancer.

Help us make a difference. Call us toll-free at 1-888-939-3333 or visit cancer.ca today.