Suzy’s Relay For Life Story: How One Daughter Turned Grief into a National Impact

For more than 30 years, Suzy Lawrence has been a steadfast advocate for people impacted by cancer. Her journey with the American Cancer Society and Relay For Life® is deeply personal, one that began with grief but transformed into hope, support, and a lasting impact.

Suzy’s connection to cancer started at home. Her mother was diagnosed with kidney cancer in the 1970s, at a time when the disease was nearly always fatal. She passed away less than two years later at the age of 37. In her mother’s memory, Suzy’s family asked for donations to the American Cancer Society, planting a seed that would grow into a lifelong commitment.

Suzy was just a teenager at the time of her mother’s death. But years later, an office event flyer would change the course of Suzy’s life. With just two weeks’ notice, she and her coworkers signed up as volunteers for Relay For Life of Roanoke, Virginia. What started as a casual decision became a defining moment. The sight of an entire football field covered in tents, laughter, and resilience struck her deeply. That night, Suzy realized she had found a way to make an impact against cancer.

“Relay means everything to me,” Suzy shares. “It’s given me the ability to fight back, leadership opportunities, and some of the best friends in my life.”

The heart of Relay: survivors, caregivers, and community

One of Suzy’s most cherished Relay moments took place in Tacoma, Washington, the birthplace of Relay, during its 40th-anniversary celebration. “Being there as a Relay geek, it was hard to believe I was standing where it all started,” she recalls. Another deeply meaningful moment happened at Relay For Life of Virginia’s Blue Ridge, where she presented survivor medals to two former volunteer event leaders, who had since become cancer survivors themselves.

Among the many Relay traditions, the Survivor Lap holds a special place in Suzy’s heart. Seeing survivors walk together, supported by caregivers, is a poignant reminder of how far cancer research and treatment have come since Suzy lost her mom. Each lap represents stories of resilience, loss, and hope, reinforcing why Relay is more than an event. It’s a movement.

“Relay is a gift, and it should be shared with everyone,” Suzy says. “If you come to just one event and experience the Survivor Lap and Luminaria Ceremony, you’ll understand its power.”

Empowering volunteers through training

Suzy’s impact extends to training the next generation of volunteers. As the lead of the nationwide Relay For Life leadership team, she has traveled across the country, supporting and thanking volunteers. Recognizing the importance of preparation, she helped revive a national training series that has equipped hundreds of volunteers with the skills they need to be effective in their roles.

Her motivation for focusing on training is personal. “The American Cancer Society gave me so many opportunities to grow as a leader,” she explains. “I learned PowerPoint, Zoom, event planning, all through my work on Relay, not my job.”

Over the past few years, training has shifted from in-person workshops to virtual sessions, ensuring that every volunteer, regardless of location, has access to the tools they need. Suzy believes well-trained volunteers fundraise more effectively, support survivors better, and build stronger community connections. By investing in training, she’s helping to ensure that Relay For Life and the American Cancer Society’s mission continue to thrive for years to come.