The annual American Cancer Society Relay For Life of North Broward will take place on Saturday, March 28, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at North Broward Preparatory School in Coconut Creek. This meaningful community event brings together survivors, caregivers, families, students, and local businesses to celebrate lives saved, remember loved ones lost, and stand united in the fight against cancer.
This year marks an exciting partnership with North Broward Preparatory School as the event’s new host site. Volunteer Event Lead and cancer survivor Chris Fletcher is joined by Co-Event Lead Damon Watts, Middle School Dean of Students at North Broward Prep. Damon previously served as a caregiver for his wife, Dawn, during her battle with breast cancer, bringing both personal experience and heartfelt commitment to the leadership team.
“Early detection saved my life, and silence took my mother’s,” said Dawn Watts. “I Relay for honest conversations, early detection, and so that no one feels they have to carry a diagnosis alone. Most of all, I Relay to honor my mother’s strength, even in her silence.” Her words capture the spirit of Relay For Life—hope, courage, and community support.
Relay For Life is more than a fundraising walk. It is a volunteer-driven movement that empowers communities to take action against cancer. With approximately 2.5 million participants worldwide, it remains the largest peer-to-peer fundraising event dedicated to saving lives from cancer.
“Relay For Life is more than just a walk,” said Fletcher, who battled Stage 4 Hodgkin lymphoma in 2019. “It unites communities to celebrate survivors, remember loved ones, and raise critical funds that improve the lives of people facing cancer. When we gather together, we send a message of hope.”
The American Cancer Society works to improve the lives of people with cancer and their families through advocacy, groundbreaking research, education, and patient support. Funds raised locally help provide transportation to treatment, lodging assistance, access to care resources, and continued research focused on prevention, early detection, and more effective treatments.
During the March 28 event, organizers will recognize survivors and thrivers still in treatment, along with the caregivers who offer unwavering strength and compassion. The evening will begin with an Opening Ceremony and a special Survivors Lap, symbolizing resilience and determination. Survivors, thrivers, and caregivers will also enjoy a complimentary dinner in their honor.
This year’s theme, “Relay Around the World,” celebrates the diverse cultures represented by participating teams. The theme aligns with North Broward Preparatory School’s vibrant international community, highlighting unity across backgrounds and a shared commitment to ending cancer.
More than 50 teams and over 1,000 participants are expected to attend, with a goal of welcoming more than 100 survivors and caregivers. After sunset, the moving Luminaria Ceremony will illuminate the night, honoring those lost, celebrating survivors, and reminding all affected by cancer that they are not alone.
To register, form a team, donate, or learn more, visit RelayForLife.org/parklandfl.
