2,500 participants, including 700 survivors, attended this year’s RFL, raising the slogan “Ready, Set, Live”. The relay, organised by UAE-based Friends of Cancer Patients (FOCP), had its flag-off at 4pm yesterday (December 10) and continued overnight with various sports, artistic, and musical events until its grand finale moment at 4pm on Sunday (December 11).
RFL is a 24-hour multidisciplinary relay and the largest peer-to-peer cancer fundraising event in the world that gives parents and guardians the opportunity to participate in raising awareness and understanding among children, in a friendly, gentle and engaging manner.
Young minds were engaged with a variety of activities and workshops at dedicated outdoor tents for diverse and jam-packed entertainment, from arts to sports activities. Inculcating healthy and caring habits, junior members of the family enjoyed bouncy castles, games, arts and crafts sessions, face-painting, movies and a soft play area.
Children were also introduced to the benefits of physical activity, nutritious eating habits and more through recreational drawings and edutainment games. More than a dozen of activities were held around the clock during RFL, including live DJ performances, theatre dramas and storytelling sessions.
With something for everyone, adults engaged in jam-packed sessions of exercise, relaying ideas and engaging sports like basketball and football. Public also pledged their support by donating directly to the cause, of which 100 per cent of the proceeds go towards changing the lives of cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers. Registering and pledging support has been made easy online at https://relayforlife.evsreg.com/.
The first RFL was organised in the USA back in 1985 by a colorectal surgeon Dr. Gordy Klatt, who raised $27,000 for his local cancer charity. Since then the event has been adopted by the American Cancer Society and has gone on to become the largest fundraising event for cancer in the world.
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