The American Cancer Society’s signature activity has become an international movement. International Relay For Life (IRFL) events are now held in more than 600 communities spanning 21 countries. This unique activity, designed to celebrate survivorship and raise money for life-saving research and programs, unites and mobilizes community members committed to eliminating cancer.
The International Relay For Life Program enables cancer leagues around the world to increase their visibility and generate cancer awareness, outreach, and income while building survivorship, volunteerism, and advocacy efforts in their communities.
For 2011, local volunteers all over the world are organizing overnight Relay For Life events to support cancer organizations in:
Australia, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Guatemala, Honduras, Ireland, Jamaica, Japan, Luxembourg, Malaysia ,The Netherlands, New Zealand, the Philippines, Portugal, South Africa, Taiwan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.
Through International Relay, survivors are given the spotlight to show that there is life after diagnosis. These “International Heroes of Hope” inspire other community members who have been touched by cancer. They are a testament to the progress that has been made in the fight against cancer and are changing the face of survivorship worldwide.
The mission of the American Cancer Society is to eliminate cancer as a major health problem. Cancer knows no boundaries. It is increasing as a leading killer globally, especially in the developing world. Because cancer is a global health problem, this mission extends around the world.
History of International Relay For Life
In 1996, in response to requests from international cancer organizations, the Society extended the first license for International Relay to Cancer Research UK. The successful adoption of this unique event in the United Kingdom has led to a formal International Relay program providing training and technical assistance to cancer organizations world wide.
Today, the American Cancer Society has partnered with more than 23 cancer organizations globally to license and support Relay For Life programs in other countries. Relay has proven especially important to countries at the beginning stages of educating the public and even the health care communities about this deadly and often preventable disease.
In each Relay Country, the funds are raised in support of the licensed organization’s own cancer control programs, services and research. These organizations also agree to contribute a percentage of gross income from Relay to the Global Cancer Fund of the American Cancer Society which supports cancer control programs in developing countries that would not otherwise be possible.
12-15% of the funds raised by Relay for Life of Second Life go to support International Relay For Life.
For more information see:
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PAR/Content/PAR_1_3_International_Relay_For_Life.asp
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