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08/01/2005: "All Day All Night: Relay For Life Raises $43,880.81"

Walking the track lined with 638 "luminaries"


5 A.M. Sunday morning. Luminaries in bleachers say it al

What an experience! The Island Guardian showed up for our assigned lap time of 5 A.M. and found no place to park the car; there were that many people coming, going and still there walking, working, helping. Michael Young walked the first lap of the day and 12 hours later this gentleman had walked 134 laps for a total of 33.5 miles. All of this was to raise money for the American Cancer Society, and of the individuals and teams involved, the Soroptimist Team raised $6.300, The SJ Rotary Club raised 4,980 and the No Name team raised $3,648. The top individuals who gathered the largest donations were Yvonne Swanberg's $2,202 for the SJ Vineyards/Rotary Club, and the Soroptimists Team came in with $1,980, and Robin Scott for Century Tel brought in $1,798. The 638 flickering lights of the luminaries raised $3,198.00, and at the end of the day $43,880.81 had been donated, and there was still money to be counted. The goal had been set at $30,000. Not bad, not bad at all. See you next year.

The American Cancer Society explains It all began in Tacoma: One person can make a difference. Nowhere is that more evident than with the story of the Relay For Life, which began in Tacoma, Washington, as the City of Destiny Classic 24-Hour Run Against Cancer.



There are now over 23 countries that are involved in sustainable community-based Relay For Life programs. The International Relay program enables cancer leagues around the world to increase their visibility and generate cancer awareness, outreach, and income while building survivorship, volunteerism, and advocacy efforts in their communities.

In the mid-1980s, Dr. Gordy Klatt, a Tacoma colorectal surgeon, wanted to enhance the income of his local American Cancer Society office. He decided to personally raise money for the fight by doing something he enjoyed—running marathons.

In May 1985, Dr. Klatt spent a grueling 24 hours circling the track at Baker Stadium at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma for more than 83 miles. Throughout the night, friends paid $25 to run or walk 30 minutes with him. He raised $27,000 to fight cancer. That first year, nearly 300 of Dr. Klatt's friends, family, and patients watched as he ran and walked the course.

While he circled the track those 24 hours, he thought about how others could take part. He envisioned a 24-hour team relay event that could raise more money to fight cancer. Months later he pulled together a small committee to plan the first team relay event known as the City of Destiny Classic 24-Hour Run Against Cancer.

In 1986, 19 teams took part in the first team relay event on the track at the colorful, historical Stadium Bowl and raised $33,000. An indescribable spirit prevailed at the track and in the tents that dotted the infield.