East Lake High Gearing up for Relay for Life

On April 12 at 6 p.m., the track at East Lake High School will be filled with students, faculty and families eager to make a difference in the annual Relay for Life event.

In a 24-hour period from April 12 through the 13, teams will camp out around the track and take turns walking, jogging or running to raise money for the American Cancer Society.

The American Cancer Society designed the event to be held overnight because "cancer never sleeps."

Currently, there are 22 teams registered for the relay, which comes to a whopping 222 participants. 

According to the East Lake Relay for Life website, $3,949.15 has been raised so far. 

Residents can get involved in taking action in the fight against cancer too:

• Join a team
• Create a team
• Donate
• Luminaria donation

Relay for Life began in 1985 when Dr. Gordy Klatt ran for 24 hours straight in Tacoma, Washington. Klatt raised $24,000 to donate to the American Cancer Society and the following year, 340 participants joined him in the second overnight relay. Since, the event has yielded more than $4 billion to fight cancer.

Throughout the year, Relay for Life events are held in communities all over the country.

Funds raised eventually find their way out into the lives of those affected by cancer.

Whether it's getting a patient through a treatment plan or paying for a survivor's college tuition, most would agree that the donations are put to good use.