World's largest Relay for Life raises $1.4 million for American Cancer Society

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. — Thousands in Gwinnett County finished the world's largest Relay for Life early Saturday morning. .

The all-night event raised money for the American Cancer Society. The relay began at 6 p.m. Friday at the Gwinnett County Fairgrounds in Lawrenceville.

The overnight relay is the largest Relay for Life in the world and raised about $1.4 million this year.

More than 5,000 people and 246 teams participated this year. %

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The rules said at least one person on the team had to keep walking for the full 12 hours of the relay.

Organizers said on top of the relay, it was really more like a carnival type atmosphere and festival.

"We had great weather. I would say we had the largest crowd we've had out in years. So (it was) very, very cool. Some of keystone events are survivor lap. It was beautiful. (WE) had over 1,000 survivors and their caregivers walking and everyone lines the track and cheers them on. Very powerful," said Relay for Life event lead Kirsten Baker.

The goal was to raise $2 million. Organizers say they have till the end of the summer to get to that goal.

Cox Media Group