Nowhere is that more evident than with the story of
the American Cancer Society Relay For Life, which began in Tacoma, Washington. In the mid-1980s, Dr. Gordy Klatt, a Tacoma colorectal surgeon, wanted to raise funds
for his local American Cancer Society office and show support for all of his patients who
had battled cancer. 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. That first year,
nearly 300 of Dr. Klatt's friends, family, and patients watched as he ran and walked the
course. Throughout the night, friends donated $25 to run or walk with Dr. Klatt for 30
minutes. His efforts raised $27,000 to fight cancer. While circling the track those 24 hours, Dr. Klatt thought about how others could take
part in his mission to fight cancer. He envisioned a 24-hour team relay event that could
raise more money to fight cancer. Over the next few months, 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, with the help of Pat Flynn – now known as the “Mother of Relay” – 19 teams
took part in the first team relay event on the track at the historic Stadium Bowl and raised
$33,000. An indescribable spirit prevailed at the track and in the tents that dotted the
infield, and the relay, later named Relay For Life, became an annual American Cancer
Society event.
