Gwinnett Relay For Life Regains Worldwide Top Spot

Bumped from the top spot last year, Gwinnett Relay for Life bounced back in 2013 to again be tops in the world among money raised by Relay for Life events.

This year’s event was held in May at the Gwinnett County Fairgrounds as county teams raised $1,847,815 to overcome last year’s top group from Bakersfield, Calif., which raised $1,690,363 in 2013.

Gwinnett had been home to the top-grossing Relay event in the world for 10 straight years before Bakersfield edged out a victory in 2012. 

Relay for Life, which is a function of the American Cancer Society, is an organized, overnight fund-raising walk to raise money for cancer patients. Teams of people camp out around a track, and take turns walking around a track. Thousands of walkers laced up their sneakers and took laps around the Gwinnett County Fairgrounds last spring.

According to the American Cancer Society, Relay for Life now raises more than $400 million a year for the fight against cancer and takes place in 5,200 communities nationwide and in 20 countries.

Doug Maloney’s words for Gwinnett Patch about the Norcross High School Relay for Life team that raised more than $86,200 this year, would most likely be echoed by many who participated:

“Those of you who attended on Friday witnessed how incredible our kids are at Relay. Their support during the survivor lap was heartwarming, their spirit during our school lap (and all night long) was inspiring, their emotion and reverence during the luminary lap (a silent lap by candlelight remembering those who have lost their bout with cancer) was powerful.”

The 2014 Gwinnett Relay for Life will take place May 9-10 at the Fairgrounds. To date, 132 teams and 1,554 participants have raised $46,928. 

Rounding out the top five in 2013 were Eugene/Springfield, Ore., ($697,090), Lancaster, Pa., ($676,484) and Cobb County Georgia Relay for Life ($655,400).