Yuma County Relay for Life Wins Regional Honor for Community Impact

Relay for Life of Yuma County received the American Cancer Society West Region Event of the Year honor on Jan. 6, 2026, acknowledging the local program’s fundraising and community engagement during 2025. The recognition credits 30 years of Relay activity in Yuma County supporting cancer research, patient services and survivor programs, underscoring the group’s sustained role in local health and civic life.

The award places a spotlight on the volunteers, teams and community partners whose sustained contributions have kept the Relay program active for three decades. For Yuma County residents, that continuity means ongoing access to locally organized support for cancer patients and survivors, plus annual opportunities to contribute time and resources to research and care initiatives. Local businesses that host or sponsor Relay events also benefit from increased foot traffic and visibility when fundraisers and recognition ceremonies take place.

Organizers announced several upcoming 2026 activities intended to build on last year’s momentum. The Relay First Lap will take place Jan. 10 at Inca Lanes, offering an early-season kickoff for returning and prospective team members. Additional fundraisers in the works include a 9-pin no-tap bowling event, along with team meetings and Spirit of Relay recognition events to honor volunteers and survivors. These gatherings are designed to recruit volunteers, re-energize fundraising teams and maintain year-round community engagement rather than concentrating all activity in a single annual event.

From an economic perspective, the award and the planned slate of events matter beyond charitable outcomes. Sustained volunteer-led fundraising builds social capital that can translate into measurable local benefits: short-term revenue for venues and vendors when events occur, and longer-term philanthropic support for services that reduce pressure on public health systems. Recognition at the regional level can also improve fundraising efficiency by raising the Relay’s profile among donors and corporate sponsors, potentially increasing resources available for patient services and research contributions.

For county leaders and public health officials, the Relay’s regional honor highlights an existing community asset that complements formal healthcare delivery. Policymakers can leverage such grassroots organizations by easing event permitting, promoting volunteer recruitment, and partnering on outreach to patients who may need support services covered by Relay-funded programs.

Relay for Life of Yuma County’s award signals both achievement and opportunity: three decades of local work have produced a recognized program that now faces the task of converting regional attention into stronger volunteer ranks and more resilient funding for 2026 and beyond. Residents interested in participating can plan to attend the Jan. 10 Relay First Lap at Inca Lanes and watch for announcements about the bowling fundraiser, team meetings and Spirit of Relay events.