On May 1, 2025, Relay For Life volunteers from coast to coast came together to do something extraordinary—raise $400,000 in just 24 hours in honor of Dr. Gordy Klatt and 40 years of Relay For Life. With a stretch goal of $540,000, the bar was high. But by the end of the day, the community had done more than reach it—they soared past it, raising a remarkable $651,670.88.
Becky VanLoon, nationwide volunteer lead for Relay For Life, reflected on the significance of the day. Quoting, “Cancer cannot cripple love, it cannot shatter hope, it cannot conquer the spirit,” she shared how volunteers once again proved that the heart and spirit behind Relay remain as strong as ever. “We have hope for the future,” she said. “And we showed that the spark Gordy lit 40 years ago is still burning bright.”
Leading the charge was the Relay For Life of East Valley, AZ, which raised an incredible $140,140.40—the highest total of any participating event in the country. Event lead Laura Deppert said the outcome still feels surreal. “The generosity of our longtime donors made this possible,” she shared. “Their passion for finding a cure continues to inspire all of us.” Her team’s fundraising is helping support a Hero of Research grant for Dr. Nicole Jimenez, a gynecologic cancer researcher in Arizona, further connecting the community’s efforts to lifesaving breakthroughs.
East Valley ELT member Gina Romero played a pivotal role in that total, helping secure a $40,000 donation on Gordy’s Give Back Day. “It felt like the perfect time to spark this year’s fundraising,” she said. “And being able to honor Gordy’s legacy during Relay’s 40th year made it even more meaningful.” Gina, who began Relaying in 2005, said she’s committed to sustaining the mission—not only to advance research, but to keep vital patient support programs strong and expanding.
Top 10 Fundraising Events
The success of Gordy’s Give Back Day was powered by more than 460 Relays working together. These were the top 10 events by dollars raised:
| 1 | Relay For Life of East Valley AZ | $140,140.40 |
| 2 | Relay For Life of Sumner Portland (TN) | $26,871.38 |
| 3 | Relay For Life of Eugene-Springfield (OR) | $23,975.04 |
| 4 | Relay For Life of Blair (PA) | $23,129.60 |
| 5 | Relay For Life of Bakersfield, CA | $21,267.98 |
| 6 | Relay For Life of Farmington Valley (MA) | $15,566.32 |
| 7 | Relay For Life of East Central Connecticut (CT) | $15,441.62 |
| 8 | Relay For Life of Bell County (TX) | $12,633.78 |
| 9 | Relay For Life of Santa Clarita Valley (CA) | $10,107.46 |
| 10 | Relay For Life of Peninsula (VA) | $8,055.11 |
Gordy’s Give Back Day wasn’t just a day of fundraising—it was a powerful reminder of what’s possible when the Relay For Life community unites. It proved that our legacy is strong, our impact is growing, and our future is full of promise.