The Queen’s Relay for Life returns to the Athletics and Recreation Centre on Friday, March 22 and Saturday, March 23.

The student-led fundraiser for the Canadian Cancer Society is an 12-hour event (7 p.m.-7 a.m.) with participant team walking throughout the night and has raised more than $1 million over the past 17 years.

The Queen’s team has already topped its $120,000 goal for this year and is looking to add more to set a new all-time highest amount.

“The atmosphere at Relay for Life is like no other. It’s truly a once in a lifetime opportunity to be part of a community that comes together over a shared cause that impacts absolutely everyone,” says co-chairs Anya Aaron, Jessie Koven, and Sasha Olynyk. Throughout this year as we have been planning this event, we have relied on a passionate committee that stopped at nothing to think outside of the box and push boundaries. We would also like to thank all of the cancer survivors participating in our event who have acted as sources of inspiration for the entire Queen’s community.” 

They add that while the relay is a fundraiser, it is also a platform for the Queen’s and Kingston community to unite, while facing up to cancer. 

“We invite participants to engage in an evening of supporting one another, sharing stories, and mourning those we have lost,” they add. “We feel utterly grateful to fundraise for the Canadian Cancer Society, and this would not be possible without the dedication and support of all of our participants, donors, survivors, and committee members.” 

The annual event includes an opening ceremony, dinner service, luminary ceremony, breakfast service, and a closing ceremony along with fun activities such as Zumba, live music, floor games, a visit from some therapy dogs, and more.

All money raised is donated to the Canadian Cancer Society, which supports investigators at the Queen’s Cancer Research Institute and the Canadian Cancer Trials Group.

Queen’s Relay for Life welcomes survivors from the Queen's community and beyond to be involved in the survivor reception, opening ceremony, and survivor lap to kick off the event. Interested survivors can email queensurelay@gmail.com.

For more information on the event or to donate, visit the website or the Queen’s Relay For Life Linktree.