There are National Relay For Life Standards that designate what shapes a Relay For Life. The first standard is that a Relay is at least an overnight event, 12 hours, from sunset to sunrise.  The National Standards can be found on this website by going through the Relay Library and the Event Development Guidebook.  You'll find the standards on page 12.  As a volunteer I remember originally thinking that it would be much easier to set our own hours, but after I realized the signifignance of going overnight, and the symbolism connected with the cancer patient's life, I wouldn't dream of doing it any other way.  This is a model that has worked for almost 25 years, and one that I think will continue to stand the test of time.  Cancer patients have many long, sleepless nights; we can at least give up one night to raise money and bring awareness, and eventually to eliminate cancer!  The first Relay in 1985 was a 24-hour event, and many Relays today are also.  Available data has proven that Relays that last 18-24 hours raise more money.  

Good Luck with your Relay - our fight isn't over until there's a cure.

Becky Walker

Team Dev. Chair for the Relay For Life of Carter County, KY and a volunteer on the Mid-South Division Regional Advisory Team

What constitues a Relay in your area is determined by your Division.  You can check with your local American Cancer Society Staff Partner/Relay Manager for what those Rules would be.  If you are not sure who that is, you call find the number for the office at 1-800-ACS-2345 or www.cancer.org.