For 25 years, Global Relay For Life has brought together cancer societies from around the world, uniting 29 Relay For Life Partners in one shared mission: to find a cure for cancer and support patients and their families throughout their journey.
The Global Relay For Life Festival is a 24-hour virtual celebration open to participants across the globe to raise money for the American Cancer Society (ACS). The 2021 celebration was hosted in ACS’s virtual campus, bringing together 2,593 participants from 29 different countries. “Using the virtual campus made it possible to connect people who otherwise would never meet. Relay participants from Honduras to Australia, Belgium to Zimbabwe were able to connect and share a unique global experience that was reminiscent of their real world event,” said Matt Lewis, Strategic Director of Global Relay for Life.
Relayers gathered virtually to celebrate survivors, remember lost loved ones, and meet others in the Relay for Life community. The Fight Back Expo Hall featured over 30 exhibitors, and participants enjoyed a 24-hour DJ set by The Lone Crow Daryl Epimaco with an inspiring sunset backdrop on the virtual beach.
The festival also hosted a luminaria ceremony, which allowed participants to write names of loved ones and sentimental notes on virtual luminaria bags. The result? Pathways of glowing luminarias, illuminating words of remembrance, inspiration, and hope.
Global Relay for Life demonstrates how charitable organizations can bring together people from around the world for a good cause. The festival allowed global participants to unite around a cause they had in common -- fighting back against cancer. Learn more about Global Relay for Life on their website, or see what other people are saying on their Facebook page.