Relay is a 24hour community-based, team walking experience that is held on an annual basis @ the Southington High School track.  Relay For Life is the signature fundraising event for the American Cancer Society.  Teams sponsor fundraising activities throughout the year that culminates in our June event which hosts all the teams campsites, decorated to an annual theme.  The overnight program symbolizes the ongoing battle with Cancer by requiring a team member to be on the track at all times, relaying to a replacement team member at assigned times to ensure continuity of the walk throughout the event duration.  To find out more about teams or to register as a new team or team member, please click on the “TEAMS” menu item.  

The event is also marked by special ceremonies on the first night.  The survivor walk is the kickoff to Relay which is a tribute to all survivors and their caregivers.  Survivors take a victory lap around the track cheered on by everyone present.  The luminaria ceremony is held at dusk and is a heartfelt ceremony marked by glowing bags of light personally dedicated to individuals who have been touched by cancer.  The candles glow into the wee hours of the morning.  This is accompanied by the Torch Ceremony which is typically dedicated to those being remembered.  

I am also honored to inform you that for 2008, the Relay For Life of Southington has been privileged to be selected to participate in the American Cancer Society’s CPS 3 Study.  CPS stands for Cancer Prevention Study.  The Cancer Prevention Study is a large scale, extended effort which involves clinical and socio-economic research conducted on cancer-free volunteers to provide recommendations for improvements on lifestyle behaviors and medical practices for cancer prevention.  Previous studies, 1 and 2, delivered results which advocated for smoking cessation and diet changes, respectively; which have since become de facto and accepted norms in our generation.   With CPS3 our local community can make a real difference.  For more information, please go to the “NEW THIS YEAR” submenu. 

This year's theme- "HOPE FOR A NEW DAY - CANCER FREE" embodies the efforts and accomplishments of our community, our caregivers, and our survivors.  It recognizes our 10 yr anniversary milestone and our CPS3 status, and provides an opportunity to dedicate personal hopes to Fight Back against cancer.  The following letter and the theme link under NEW THIS YEAR, provides more details on these wonderful & moving campaigns.

HOPE LETTER

SHARING HOPE - INSPIRATIONAL RELAY VIDEO

Relay is also a LOT OF FUN defined by special celebrity speakers, theme contests, on-site entertainment, and various youth activities and competitions. Please visit “NEW THIS YEAR” and/or our “YOUTH” pages for more information.  Hopefully it just doesn’t rain!

This year, with our CPS3 status, our ten year anniversary and our brand new committee, we have a great deal of momentum and lots of energy.  We welcome all new volunteers and/or participants or sponsors.  You do not have to be considered a survivor or a caregiver to become involved, you just have to “Want to Make a Difference”.  Please join us to Celebrate.  Remember. Fight Back  and experience something memorable yourself.

To contact Kim or Jeff Drexler, co-Chairs, please email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it