Relay for Life of Lake Buena Vista fundraiser event returns April 27

When the Relay for Life of Lake Buena Vista opening ceremonies begin this weekend, they will mark an important win for the Southwest Orange County community. 

Following the devastating economic effects of COVID-19, American Cancer Society officials had made a decision: Shut down the Relay for Life programs in Central Florida.

Instead, the local representatives fought to save it — and ultimately won.

“I was on the phone with the representative from the American Cancer Society, and they were saying, that they were going to sunset Relay in Central Florida,” said Jennifer Johnson, Relay for Life Lake Buena Vista luminaria chair and cancer survivor. “I was like, ‘No, you’re not. We’re not doing that. We can’t do that; we have to find a way to make Relay happen.’ 

“Luckily, we were able to have a group of volunteers who stepped up to keep Relay here,” she said. “We all are volunteers. We all have other full-time jobs, and we have families, but this is a group of individuals that cares so much about the cause and about helping to save lives that we were willing to do whatever it takes to make sure that we can have Relay here in our own community. … So, it’s a really great feeling to be a part of a group like that, that gives so much of themselves to help others.” 

The 2024 Relay for Life of Lake Buena Vista will be from 2 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, April 27, at Reedy Creek Fire Station 4 on 1920 Buena Vista Drive in Lake Buena Vista. The fundraising event will not only aim to celebrate cancer survivors, honor those lost to the disease and support those currently going through treatment, but Relay for Life of Lake Buena Vista also will strive to meet its $125,000 fundraiser goal.

What to expect

For more than three decades, communities across the globe have come together for the American Cancer Society’s annual fundraising event, Relay for Life.

“Relay is the largest fundraiser for the American Cancer Society,” said Yamil Rivera, Relay for Life of Lake Buena Vista co-lead. “Unlike what a lot of people think, Relay is not a run; it’s a walk around the track. What we do is, all of our teams that come and participate, walk around the track to symbolize the journey that all cancer patients take after they hear those words, ‘You have cancer.’”

This event not only has become an important fundraising tool for the fight against cancer but also an event many around the world look forward to each year.

“We all understand that the negative effects of COVID means we have to work to get back momentum for Relay,” Johnson said. “We also know things have changed over the years, and so to regain that momentum, we have to re-invent Relay a bit. That was one of the things we knew about taking on this event with our volunteer leadership team that we knew we would have to figure out and we’re excited about what we have planned.”

To kick off the festivities, volunteers, families and event-goers will cheer on cancer survivors and caregivers as they take a celebratory lap around the track. The lap will be followed by a special reception for survivors and caregivers.

At 3 p.m., the activities and entertainment — which range from a pep rally, live music, a scavenger hunt, a homecoming parade, a costume contest and a performance by the Orlando Cloggers — begin and will run until 9 p.m.

Following the activities and entertainment, event-goers will have the chance to participate in one of the most powerful parts of the event, a luminaria ceremony. 

“One of the best parts of Relay is the luminaria ceremony,” Johnson said. 

“It’s our opportunity to really remember why we’re all there. So, we take that moment to dedicate the luminaria in remembrance of someone we’ve lost, in support of someone who’s currently battling cancer … and in honor of a survivor. For me, as a survivor, there are times where that little bit of celebration refreshes you and helps you remember how lucky you are to be here. It also helps to serve as a reminder of how we just have to keep up with this fight against cancer, until no one has to hear those words, you have cancer, ever again. In this ceremony, which happens at night when there’s no lights, we light battery-operated candles inside each bag and they light your path around the track. And as you walk by each of the bags, and you read the names and you’re reminded of those individuals that we’re either remembering, honoring or supporting, it’s a pretty moving moment.”

To donate directly to the American Cancer Society, visit bit.ly/44a9D50.