Over the past 20 years, Queen’s Relay for Life has raised nearly $2 million for cancer research and support programs, making it one of the university’s longest running and most successful student initiatives.

The overnight student-led event will return to the Athletics and Recreation Centre (ARC) on Friday, March 20 at 7 p.m. until Saturday, March 21 at 7 p.m., bringing students, survivors, and supporters together to raise awareness and funds in support of the Canadian Cancer Society. 

Teams walk throughout the night, and everything raised supports the Canadian Cancer Society, which in turn supports Queen’s investigators at the Sinclair Cancer Research Institute and the Canadian Cancer Trials Group, both working to advance cancer research and patient support programs.

This year’s organizing team, co-chairs Juliet Krilanovich, Kavi Gupta, and Matteo Salceda, all current health sciences undergraduate students, hopes to continue that momentum. The team has set a fundraising goal of $170,000 and hopes to surpass last year’s record of $225,000 if momentum continues. 

For Krilanovich, the event’s impact comes from the strong sense of community it creates around a cause that touches nearly everyone.

“Relay for Life at Queen’s is truly magical,” says Krilanovich. “It’s incredible to see the passion, support, and excitement among the hundreds of students who attend each year. Everyone is affected by cancer in some way, and Relay is an opportunity for people to come together to celebrate the courageous individuals in their lives.”

Salceda says the event’s significance extends beyond the night itself, reflecting two decades of student commitment and the broader impact of the funds raised.

“Relay for Life has meant so much to me and to the Queen’s community since it first began on campus 20 years ago,” says Salceda. “We see the impact locally and nationally through the Canadian Cancer Society, from supporting cancer research at Queen’s to advancing advocacy and support programs across the country.”

Gupta adds that the event has become a defining tradition for many students, bringing together a wide network of supporters.

“Relay for Life has cemented itself as a fundamental part of the Queen’s community,” says Gupta. “From welcoming cancer survivors from across Kingston and Ontario to uniting sponsors and hundreds of students in the ARC, it’s a powerful celebration of resilience and the shared commitment to finding a cure.”

The event features a variety of ceremonies and activities, including an opening ceremony, dinner service, luminary ceremony, breakfast service, and a closing ceremony. Participants can also take part in activities throughout the night such as Zumba, live music, floor games, and visits from therapy dogs.

Queen’s Relay for Life invites cancer survivors from the Queen’s community and beyond to participate in the survivor reception, opening ceremony, and the survivor lap that kicks off the event. Survivors interested in attending can contact the organizing team at queensurelay@gmail.com.  

More information about the event, including how to donate and get involved, can be found on the Queen’s Relay for Life website and Linktree.

Students in the ARC at the 2025 Relay for Life that raised a record $225,000 in support of the Canadian Cancer Society.