What better way to spend time with Dad than to celebrate with others at the annual Relay For Life of Thurston County? Sign-ups are now live for those who want to join the relay or dedicate a luminaria. If you just want to come and support, that’s great too. It’s free and there will be plenty of family-friendly activities.
If you are a survivor joining the relay, check the box when signing up and receive a free t-shirt! These can take a while to come, so sign up soon in order to receive it before the relay to wear at the event!
2026 Relay For Life Schedule Highlights
The 2026 Relay For Life is not just a fundraising effort for the American Cancer Society. It’s about the community coming together. It’s about those battling cancer seeing they are not alone. It’s about getting support as we grieve those we’ve lost. It’s about celebrating together those who won their fight.
Taking place at the North Thurston High School stadium, the 2026 Relay For Life will have tons of kids and family activities and free entertainment for all attendees.
Did you help care for someone with cancer or a cancer survivor? You won’t want to miss the activities planned from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the caregiver and survivor tent. They are planning on some very special moments.
“Survivors are a survivor from the moment they hear the words, ‘You have cancer,’” shares Nichole Woolsey, senior development manager for American Cancer Society. “Whether you were diagnosed yesterday or 27 years ago, we want to celebrate every survivor, celebrate HOPE! Once a person is a caregiver, they are always a caregiver. We know not everyone has a survivor with them today and we want all caregivers to know they have a community.”
Here are a few of the schedule highlights:
Saturday June 20
- 12 p.m. gates open
- 12:15 – 1: 30 p.m. live entertainment
- 1:45 p.m. Opening Ceremony
- 2 p.m. Survivor and Caregiver Lap
- 3 p.m. Hometown Hero’s lap
- 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. Field Games
- 4:45 p.m. Tug of War, hosted by KeyBank
- 3:30 p.m. Parade of teams
- 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. contests and challenges
- 7 p.m. Commit to You Dance Mid-field
- 7:30 p.m. Cancer in Every Color Lap at Arch
- 8:45 p.m. Bell-ringing ceremony at arch
- 9:45 p.m. Luminaria Ceremony Lacey Rotary Stage
- 10 p.m. Bagpiper Lap
- 10:15 p.m. Luminaria Tribute Video midfield
Sunday June 21
- 12 a.m. -1 am Glow Hour- Skybound Fitness
- 2 a.m. Cocoa Social hosted by Fudge Cancer at Info Booth
- 4 a.m. Scavenger Hunt hosted by Capital Heating and Cooling
- 6 a.m. Yoga with Leah Bender
- 9:30 a.m. Final Lap and Closing Ceremonies at Lacey Rotary Stage
The detailed schedule can be viewed on the Relay For Life of Thurston County website.
Celebrating Our Dads Who’ve Battled Cancer
This year is special. It’s also Father’s Day weekend. “This is our traditional weekend and when we realized it was Father’s Day, we knew that it was the perfect opportunity to celebrate the father figures in our lives,” shares Nichole. “To share their stories, talk about men’s health awareness and the importance of screening. And to remember those we have lost to cancer. We did not want to shy away from the holiday, but instead to lean in to it.”
Brad Deyette is a volunteer and cancer survivor. He volunteers with Relay For Life to pay it forward, he says. “The people who walked the Relay before me have raised the funds for my cancer treatment research,” he adds. “I owe them that.”
“When you first hear the words, ‘You have cancer,’ it is the most confusing, loneliest moment of your life,” he continues. “Being with a group of people sharing the same journey gives you the hope for a future, the support of a community and the strength to carry on your fight.”
Kevin Gordham is also a volunteer. “My mom had severe breast cancer when she was 70,” he shares. “They gave her two years. She lasted until last year at the age of 94, and it wasn’t cancer that took her. My brother was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor in 2009. They told him he had months to go. That is when I joined Relay For Life. He lasted until 2012 because of all the treatments available and was able to walk the track with me.”
For volunteers like Kevin and Brad, it’s more than just a cause – it’s part of their lives. It’s having a community to lean into that understands what you are going through. And, it’s donating to a cause that directly impacts lives.
“Everyone is affected by cancer, whether it be themselves, their family, their friends,” shares Kevin. “Cancer doesn’t care if you are rich or poor, male or female, or what color you are. We are constantly making strides to cure this nasty disease, and it is getting closer every day! Childhood leukemia used to have a 90%+ mortality rate. Now it is almost non-existent. Research is the answer and ACS funds research. Also, a significant percentage of the money we raise stays locally to help patients get to appointments, get wigs, and many other services they may not be able to afford.”
Whether you are a caregiver, friend, family member, survivor, currently battling or grieving a loss, the Relay For Life of Thurston County is for you. Let’s come together in hope, support, strength and knowledge says Brad. It’s time to walk for a cure. Learn more at the Relay for Life of Thurston County website.
