American Cancer Society's Relay for Life

Baltimore residents can join the fight against cancer by participating in the annual Relay For Life^® event to celebrate cancer survivors, remember those who have been lost, and to help raise money for cancer research.

This year's relay will take place on Friday and Saturday, May 2-3 at the Clarence "Du" Burns Arena, 1301 S. Ellwood Avenue. It begins at 6:30 p.m. and continues overnight until 7:00 a.m. "The events are held overnight to represent the fact that cancer never sleeps," according to the relay's website. The 12-hour walking relay involves teams of 8-10 people who field at least one person to walk at all times during the relay. The event also feature raffles, auctions, games, music, food, and sleeping areas.

Baltimore residents are invited to join or even start a team, or to walk as individuals. People can also donate to teams that are participating in the relay. You can also donate a luminaria, which is a candle-lit paper bag, in honor of a cancer survivor or in memory of a loved one who has died. The bags can be decorated too. In a powerful and moving ceremony, the luminarias are lit as darkness falls on the eve of the relay.

Since 1985, when the relay was founded, over $2 billion has been raised for cancer research. For more information on how you can participate, visit the relay website link above.

"Relay isn't about taking laps -- it's about coming together in the fight against cancer," says ACS. "By joining together at Relay, we celebrate life, friendship, and an opportunity to work to defeat cancer for future generations."