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History of Relay For Life
One person can make a difference. Nowhere is that more
evident than with the story of the American Cancer
Society Relay For Life, which began in Tacoma,
Washington, as the City of Destiny Classic 24-Hour Run
Against Cancer.
In the mid-1980s, Dr. Gordy Klatt, a Tacoma colorectal
surgeon, wanted to enhance the income of his local
American Cancer Society office.
He decided to personally raise money for the fight by
doing something he enjoyed—running marathons.
In May 1985, Dr. Klatt spent a grueling 24 hours
circling the track at Baker Stadium at the University of
Puget Sound in Tacoma for more than 83 miles. Throughout
the night, friends paid $25 to run or walk 30 minutes
with him. He raised $27,000 to fight cancer. That first
year, nearly 300 of
Dr. Klatt's friends, family, and patients watched as he
ran and walked the course.
While he circled the track those 24 hours, he thought
about how others could take part. He envisioned a
24-hour team relay event that could raise more money to
fight cancer. Months later he pulled together a small
committee to plan the first team relay event known as
the City of Destiny Classic 24-Hour Run Against Cancer.
In 1986, 19 teams took part in the first team relay
event on the track at the colorful, historical Stadium
Bowl and raised $33,000. An indescribable spirit
prevailed at the track and in the tents that dotted the
infield.
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