Another year of Relay for Life success

PLATTSBURGH | Under golden evening skies, luminaria bags stretched in spirals across the Clinton County Fairgrounds as community members gathered for the 28th annual Relay for Life of Plattsburgh, a tradition and beacon of hope in the fight against cancer. This year's event, held in honor of Relay for Life's 40th anniversary nationally, brought together families, teams, survivors and supporters in a powerful show of unity. Organized in partnership with the American Cancer Society, the fundraiser has raised about $124,000 so far in 2025, with donations still coming in. "Relay for Life is an enduring community event that keeps people coming back year after year," said organizer Amber Arnold. "Though we are a small area compared to larger cities, we raise a lot of money to help people who are fighting against this terrible disease." Participants formed teams to fundraise through raffles, luminaria sales, food events and more. Sam's Club's "6456ers," one of the largest teams, hosted a food sale at their store, while others participated in U-Choose raffles, garage sales and street drives. On the day of the event, each team hosted games or booths at their spot, fostering friendly competition and camaraderie. Tracey Ducharme, organizer for "The Peanut Gallery" team, aimed to raise money in support for childhood cancer, emphasizing the importance of community for events such as this. "Community impact is huge because a lot of people are not aware that there are so many people in our community with cancer," Ducharme said. "It brings attention to how serious cancer is around here. People learn what it's about. When we first started, I knew three people with cancer — now it's 49." A cornerstone of the event is the celebration of cancer survivors, who are honored with a catered meal, entertainment and a chance to share their stories. "In ACS's world, survivors are anyone who has been diagnosed with cancer," Arnold said. Relay's roots in Plattsburgh date back nearly three decades, beginning on the small track behind Plattsburgh High School. Over time, it grew to encompass the entire grandstand and — following post-pandemic challenges — has now found renewed momentum on the fairground loop. Signs throughout the venue shared key messages, like the American Cancer Society's investment of more than $3.1 billion in cancer research since 1991. Meanwhile, hand-decorated luminaria bags, many from local children, lined the grass with messages of love, remembrance and strength. "We've seen families and children grow and change with this event," Arnold said. "Some of the leadership team grew up with parents who were involved, and now they're raising their own kids within the Relay community. It's a family event that does good things." As the night fell, the glow of hope shone brighter, reminding all in attendance: cancer won't win.

Signup for our newsletter

Another year of Relay for Life success

COMPANY

CUSTOMER SUPPORT

SUBMISSION FORMS

BEYOND THE NEWS