The U.S. Virgin Islands community will come together Saturday and Sunday for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, a two-day event occurring at St. Croix Educational Complex High School. The Relay for Life will honor cancer survivors, support caregivers, and raise funds for cancer research and patient services.
“The American Cancer Society Relay for Life is the only global walk that stands for every cancer while we walk for every life,” according to information on the ACS website. “Since 1985, communities across the world have come together to honor and remember loved ones and take action for lifesaving change,” the ACS said.
“At Relay for Life, you’ll find community members taking turns walking a path or track lined with luminaria bags,” the ACS explained. “You’ll have the opportunity to cheer for local survivors or participate as a survivor yourself in our first lap of the day. Caregivers of cancer patients currently or previously diagnosed will then be invited to join the survivors. Local entertainers will keep you energized, and as it gets dark, we will light the luminaria bags surrounding the track in a memorable luminaria ceremony. There will be opportunities to fundraise and fight back,” the ACS said.
St. Croix Relay for Life Event Details
The Source contacted Aymee Santana, a volunteer and lead committee member for this year’s Relay for Life program, to learn more about the yearly campaign at the St. Croix Educational Complex athletic track.
Santana explained that the annual fundraiser will run continuously, including during the overnight hours, from Saturday afternoon until midday on Sunday at the St. Croix Educational Complex, and individuals are encouraged to participate.
“The Relay for Life will take place at the St. Croix Educational Complex on Saturday, May 24 at 4 p.m. until Sunday, May 25 at noon,” Santana said.
Santana went on to describe the details of what will occur throughout the fundraiser, which is slated to include a walk with posters honoring cancer survivors, appreciation of caregivers, as well as a ceremony involving lighting lanterns in support of those affected by the disease.
“The Relay for Life Event is an annual fundraiser held by the St. Croix Relay for Life Committee to assist cancer patients in the USVI,” Santana stated. “During the event, we will start with an opening ceremony at 4 p.m., where participants walk around the track with their banners, and during the second lap, families and friends join the survivors,” Santana described. “We honor the survivors by offering lunch and dinner to them, and we have the luminary ceremony, where the lights are turned off, the luminaries are lit, and all the survivors walk around the track,” Santana said. “We will also hear from survivors and family members,” she added.
Santana explained that the Relay for Life campaign held an initial event May 4 to begin preparing for the fundraiser.
“We had a kick-off motorcade that occurred from Fort Frederik to Altona Lagoon, and it ended with a short program in which two survivors spoke,” Santana noted. “We had over 50 vehicles attend, including fire trucks, Emergency Medical Services, and the Virgin Islands Police Department.”
Get Involved to Support Cancer Awareness
Community members are invited to partake in the Relay for Life drive, and individuals can become involved by registering and joining “teams,” which are comprised of community members and organizations who will participate together and raise money for the ACS.
Additionally, residents and visitors can attend the fundraiser and contribute by purchasing a t-shirt to support the event’s cause.
“Teams consist of a minimum of 15 members and a maximum of 22 members,” Santana explained. “Each team member purchases a t-shirt and makes a commitment of $100, and some teams raise additional funds,” she continued. “This year we have 36 registered teams, and our goal is to raise donations up to $250,000,” Santana acknowledged. “Nationally, Relay for Life is celebrating its 40th anniversary, and the theme is ‘40 Years of Impact,’ which you will see displayed on the teams, volunteers, committee, and survivors’ shirts,” Santana said.
“Our local chapter is celebrating its 24th anniversary, and our theme is ‘Support the Fighters, Admire the Survivors, and Remember the Angels,’ which you will see on the participants’ white shirts,” she noted.
“All survivors must register every year to participate in the Relay for Life. They also receive a purple shirt and other goodies from the American Cancer Society and sponsors. The luminaries are the lights that are sold for $5.00 in honor of or in memory of a cancer patient. Family and friends can purchase and decorate the bags with their family members’ names or messages.”
Santana said that purchasing a shirt or donating can also be a valuable way to contribute.
“We encourage the community to attend, since we will be selling the white community shirts for $20 during the event,” Santana commented. “Entertainment and donations are always welcomed, and we also accept donations in the form of food for the survivors and volunteers. All checks should be made payable to the American Cancer Society.”
“The public does not have to register; all they have to do is purchase and wear the 2025 t-shirt for $20 and wear their sneakers,” Santana continued. “No strollers are allowed,” she noted.
Hope for the Future
Santana concluded her remarks by offering thoughts about what excites her most during Relay for Life, and what she hopes the future may look like in the battle against cancer.
“I am personally excited to see all the teams, family, friends, committee members, and volunteers coming together for this worthy cause, hoping to one day kill and disappear cancer,” Santana declared. “My favorite moments are the survivors’ walk and the luminaria ceremony. It’s such a great feeling seeing all the survivors in their purple shirts, smiling and celebrating,” she said. “It motivates me to continue fighting for a world free of cancer.”
Individuals interested in participating in the Relay for Life fundraiser on Saturday and Sunday can find more information on the ACS official website.
