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Becky VanLoon, National RFL Lead
Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to attend the ACS Relay Staff "Relay Rally," an annual online gathering that brings staff together to get excited and inspired for the upcoming Relay season.
I can't speak for them, but I think they are excited!!
Relay For Life events take place throughout the year, making our season a little different than most, but one thing always stays the same: To be the premier, volunteer-empowered grassroots fundraising movement driving progress to end cancer as we know it, for everyone.
You can learn more about the Relay For Life Vision, Mission, and Values anytime by visiting the Relay For Life Vision, Mission & Values page.
Mark your calendar for September 22 and join us for Relay 2027: Launch Edition! This special event will share exciting updates about the future of Relay For Life, celebrate what's ahead, and provide information to help make this season your most successful yet.
You'll hear big announcements, learn about new opportunities, and get an inside look at what's planned for Relay 2027. We hope you'll join us and be part of the journey from the very beginning.
To attend, visit the Relay 2027: Launch Edition page
and select "Going." That will let us know you're planning to participate and ensure you receive the event link directly in your email inbox.
As we look ahead to an exciting 2027 season, we also want to celebrate the incredible accomplishments of 2026. If you haven't already, now is the perfect time to submit a nomination for Relayer of the Year, Team of the Year, Event of the Year, ACS Staff Partner of the Year, and/or the RFL Corporate Impact Award. We've worked hard to make the nomination process easier than ever, but don't wait too long. November will be here before you know it! Visit the ACS Community Events Awards page
to submit your nomination.
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August is Make-A-Will Month
When Susan Gerbi, Ph.D., arrived at Brown University in 1972, her laboratory startup funding was just $2,500 and an empty room. Knowing she’d need additional funding, she began applying for grants.
Within weeks, a team of scientists from the ACS visited.
While her initial project’s grant application was deemed too far afield from the mission at that time, the encounter sparked a lifelong relationship, and by 1977, an ACS Extramural Discovery Science (EDS) grant successfully jumpstarted her groundbreaking work into DNA replication.
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For decades, Dr. Gerbi immersed herself in molecular cell biology, exploring how chromosomes duplicate genetic material from one cell division to the next. In 2006, her research became personal when Dr. Gerbi was diagnosed with breast cancer. Wanting to see her research translate more quickly into solutions, she secured funding from the Department of Defense (DoD) Breast Cancer Program to apply lessons from her fly model directly to human cancer cell cultures.
Dr. Gerbi’s dedication extended far beyond the laboratory. She served on the ACS’ Rhode Island Executive Board, coordinating the "Daffodil Days" program to raise research funds. Now retired, Dr. Gerbi is ensuring the next generation of scientists has the resources she once scrambled to find. By re-evaluating her estate plans and naming ACS as a beneficiary of her retirement fund, she is strategically maximizing her impact.
This legacy gift is profoundly meaningful to Dr. Gerbi. It ensures that the vital, years-long work of scientific discovery continues seamlessly, turning Dr. Gerbi's own life's work into a permanent investment in a cancer-free future.
This August, during Make-A-Will Month, you too can support the future of scientific research by considering a gift to ACS in your estate plans. ACS is proud to offer its supporters access to a free online will-writing platform called Giving Docs.
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Create or update your will or trust
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Record your health care wishes
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Assign powers of attorney
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and more!
It only takes a few minutes, and every step helps protect the people who matter most. To learn more, please visit https://givingdocs.com/americancancersociety.
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CHALLENGES
TRAINING
*stay up-to-date with all upcoming and past trainings on ACS Resources at https://www.acsresources.org/relayforlife/training/)
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In 2025, 266 Relay For Life events participated in Gold Together Day.
This year, we would love to see 100% participation. Event Leads and Staff: What do you need to ensure your event participates in Gold Together Day? Events without a Gold Together team, can we help you sign up a team?
Here’s the link to Gold Together Day resources. More resources will be coming soon, AND additional resources are available on the ACSResources Gold Together page.
This year our goal is to raise $240,000 in ONE DAY on September 10. I hope you’ll help us blow that goal out of the water.
If you would like to create your own Gold Together Day profile picture for social media, click here. Just make sure you COPY the image to your own Canva account before making any changes.
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Make the nomination as soon as you can after your event. That means everything is fresh in your mind.
The due date is November 6, but get it in now! That way you don't have to worry about missing the deadline.
Have Questions? [email protected]
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2026 Nationwide Event Season Numbers (year-over-year): -
Teams: 17,237 (down)
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Participants: 123,343 (down)
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Fundraising Participants: 13,881 (down)
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Survivors: 29,430 (up)
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Money Raised: $45,095,370 (down)
Fundraising Levels: -
2026 Grand Club ($1,000 raised): 6,648
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2026 Team of Excellence ($50,000 raised): 47
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Canada Relay, RFL partner since 1999
Relay For Life is one of the Canadian Cancer Society's signature fundraising events, bringing communities together to celebrate survivors, honour loved ones, and create hope for a future without cancer.
Across Canada, over 200 Youth & Community Relay For Life events took place this year, engaging thousands of participants and generating critical funds (over $16 million!) in support of the Canadian Cancer Society's mission.
At the heart of the Relay For Life Youth program is a student-led movement that empowers young leaders to make a difference.
Students at 275 schools across Canada plan and lead events within their schools, combining fundraising, education, leadership development, and community engagement to inspire action and transform the future of cancer care and research.
The Province of Quebec continues to be a driving force behind Relay For Life in Canada, hosting most of our Community Relay events.
Year after year, communities across the province demonstrate an extraordinary commitment to the cause, coming together to raise funds, honour those affected by cancer, and support one another.
The passion of volunteers, participants, survivors, caregivers, and local partners is a testament to the strength of Quebec's Relay community and the meaningful impact these events have across the province.
Other than being a different country, what makes your Relay unique? The Youth program participants (students ages 14-22) raised an incredible $12 million through Relay For Life this year.
Their impact is a powerful reminder that the next generation is not just the future; they are making a difference today.
Through their leadership, fundraising efforts, and unwavering commitment, these young changemakers are advancing the mission of the Canadian Cancer Society and helping transform the future of cancer.
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Take a look at what Relays are in the news! From creative fundraisers to inspiring survivor stories, Relays around the world continue to make headlines and inspire action.
You might find your next great idea right here!
Relay For Life
Global Relay For Life
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