Alexandria Hosting Its First Relay For Life Event

Alexandria is hosting its first-ever Relay For Life event Saturday, May 18 into Sunday, May 19 at George Washington Middle School in Del Ray. 

The event, which is hosted in different variations in more than 5,200 communities around the globe, raises money for the American Cancer Society.

Following an opening ceremony at 2 p.m. Saturday, relay teams will camp out overnight and take turns walking or running around the George Washington Middle School grounds. Special laps recognizing cancer survivors and caregivers will follow the ceremony.

At least one member of each team will walk at all times, signifying that cancer never sleeps. 

T.C. Williams High School Athletic Director Steve Colantuoni, a cancer survivor and the father of a cancer survivor, and Del Ray resident and T.C. Williams staff member Patty Moran helped bring the event to the city.

“It’s an honor that a city such as Alexandria, which is steeped in American history, is hosting an event that one in 100 Americans throughout the country participates in every year,” Moran said in a press release. “Relay For Life is the financial engine that funds the Society’s cancer research initiatives and provides help to families touched by this terrible disease.”  

Relay team members reach out for pledges for their participation. As of Tuesday afternoon, 188 participants in 28 teams have raised more than $25,000.

• To make a donation, get involved or for more information on the event, visit the Relay For Life of Alexandria City website.

The event will continue through the night and will include live music from the Elroy Jenkins and others, movie screenings and a luminarias ceremony honoring all who have battled cancer.

The event will end at 7 a.m. Sunday.  

The Del Ray Business Association has invited participants to head north on Mount Vernon Avenue while they’re taking a break from the relay. Some businesses will be offering discounts for participants.