Townsville 2026

Welcome to Townsville Relay For Life!

Relay is a fun and moving experience that raises vital funds for the Cancer Council’s research, prevention, and support services. It’s a chance for the community to recognise and celebrate local cancer survivors, those going through a cancer experience and their carers, to honor and remember loved ones lost and to raise money to help save more lives. Join the thousands of Australians who take part in Cancer Council’s Relay For Life each year and make strides towards a cancer free future: start or join a team in the 2026 Relay today!
  • Victor William Pollock Shields just donated $23.50
  • Rachel & David Menz just donated $25.00
  • Leanne Gamze just donated $105.50
  • Genus Passi just donated $25.00
  • Mettassa just donated $60.46
  • Alvin Hava just donated $158.25
  • Joanne Ohl just donated $35.23
  • Patrick Kaufusi just donated $5.00
  • Patrick Kaufusi just donated $1.13
  • Dallas Leon just donated $5.00
  • Dallas Leon just donated $1.13
  • Apenisa Tawake just donated $5.00
  • Apenisa Tawake just donated $1.13
  • Rob LUI just donated $5.00
  • Rob LUI just donated $1.13
  • Xavier Passi just donated $5.00
  • Xavier Passi just donated $1.13
  • Richard Savage just donated $5.00
  • Richard Savage just donated $1.13
  • Norman Herring just donated $5.00

Townsville Relay Information

Event Information

add remove

Registration

Your registration includes a FREE Relay Shirt*. Collect it on the day.
*Shirts are the same as previous years, sizing is limited.

Pre-registration is encouraged for this event to avoid missing out! There will be limited on the day registrations available.

Ceremonies

Opening Ceremony:  10:00am
Survivors & Carers Afternoon Tea: TBC
Candlelight Ceremony: TBC
Closing Ceremony: 10:00pm

Information Session

Come find out more about the Relay For Life. Our Team Meetings are an opportunity to get fundraising tips and tricks, information on activities and entertainment on the day, and ask any questions you may have. 

Team Meeting dates to be confirmed.

Theme

This year’s Relay Theme is still being decided.

Awards

This year’s Relay awards are still being decided.

Find us on Social!

Connect with us on the Townsville Relay Facebook Group to keep up-to-date.

www.facebook.com/groups/townsvillerelay

When it comes to cancer, it takes a community.

Refund Policy
Cancer Council do not offer refunds and our general policy is to treat your money as a donation. Should you have made an error whilst registering or donating please contact your local Cancer Council office for assistance.
*These events are subject to change. Cancer Council Queensland will notify participants if any changes occur.

How to get involved

add remove

Whether you're a business looking to sponsor, a volunteer eager to give your time, or a Survivor or Carer wanting to get involved—we’d love to hear from you! Here’s how you can support:
 

1. Register as a Team Leader

If you’re a natural leader and have a passion to make a difference then we encourage you to get together with a team of friends, family or colleagues to raise money for vital local cancer support services. It doesn’t matter who you are – a community member, school or university student, mother, father, carer or survivor; we need you as a part of the Relay For Life movement to help lead Queenslanders in a partnership against cancer

2. Join a team

There is no ‘I’ in ‘team’, and no Relay For Life without people like you. Commit to playing your part by joining a team and making an impact for Queenslanders living with cancer.

You can join a pre-existing team by searching for the Team Name or Team Leader’s name. If you don’t have a team in mind that you know of, then simply register by searching for your local event and clicking ‘register’.

If you’re registering bulk participants or require team invoicing (e.g. School participants), please contact the Relay For Life team on [email protected]

 

3. Volunteer

Each Relay For Life event is unique to the community and volunteers are a key part of bringing that community together. All Relay For Life events are led by a committee on behalf of Cancer Council Queensland who are an incredibly passionate and dedicated group of supporters.

By joining these volunteers, you are:

  • Making a meaningful difference in your community
  • Building relationships and networks that last a lifetime
  • Growing personally and professionally
  • Supporting Queenslanders affected by cancer

If you wish to join your local committee to support the planning of your local event, or alternatively just volunteer on the day of the event then please submit your application here.

 

4. Participate as a Survivor/Carer

If you or anyone you love has ever heard the words “you have cancer”, you know the life changing impact it has.  No one should ever face cancer alone and getting involved in your local Relay For Life is a great way for Survivors and Carers to meet and share their stories to connect with those who have suffered a similar cancer journey.

To honour those who have either faced or cared for someone going through cancer, Survivors and Carers are invited as our Relay For Life Guests of Honour. You can choose to walk in the Survivor and Carer’s Lap of Honour or just come along for the morning tea and connect with other participants.

To register as a Survivor or Carer, search for your local event on the Relay website and make sure to select the ‘Survivor/Carer Lap only’ ticket in the registration process.

 

5. Sponsor an event

Corporate partnerships, whether it be through monetary donations or in-kind donations or services, shows your community that you care.

Sponsoring a Relay For Life event can help advance cancer research, provide cancer prevention programs and support essential support services.

Be part of the movement and find out how your business can support Relay For Life by contacting the team on [email protected]

6. Donate

Donating to a participant or team is very simple! Search for a participant or team on the Relay For Life website to sponsor them, or alternatively you can donate directly to your local event.

If you have any questions, please contact our team on 1300 65 65 85 | [email protected]

What happens on the day

add remove

What happens on the day?

Here's what to expect at Relay:

  • Opening Ceremony
  • Survivors and Carers Opening Lap
  • Candlelight Ceremony of Hope
  • Closing Ceremony
  • Entertainment - kid’s activities, live music and competitions
  • Walking Track - keep those team members walking!

You are not required to stay on the track for the entire event, however, we encourage teams to have at least one person on the track at all times to get the most out of your Relay experience!

Check with your our team on 1300 65 65 85 | [email protected] for special information about the Relay.

What to bring to Relay

Be sure to come to Relay prepared! Check the forecast the night before and dress for the weather.

Remember, Relay runs late and can be cold. Here’s a list of things that teams should be sure to have handy on the day:

  • Marquee(s) for your site
  • Weights for your marquee (please no pegs, weights only)
  • Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and lip balm
  • Comfortable walking/running shoes
  • Warm clothing and sun smart clothes
  • Torch and spare batteries
  • Wet weather gear (raincoat, poncho, umbrella, etc.)
  • Folding chairs and tables
  • Plastic sheeting or rubber-backed rug (good on cold or damp ground)
  • Marquee decorations and team banners
  • Team costumes
  • Mobile phone to capture those special moments

Please leave at home

  • Pets (guide dogs and service dogs are welcome)
  • Bikes, scooters or roller blades/skates
  • Glass
  • BBQ’s or gas cookers
  • Alcohol, Vapes or Tabacco products
  • Fundraising money that you want to bank (please bank any money prior to the event or the next business day after Relay)
  • Remember, Relay For Life is a alcohol and smoke-free event.

Site Allocations

To confirm this years site allocation sizing and request additional space, please contact our team on 1300 65 65 85 | [email protected]. The site plan will be confirmed at a time closer to the event.

Bring a Team Baton

At Relay For Life, your team baton is what keeps you connected on the track all event long. The baton must stay on the track at all times while your team is participating, symbolising that someone from your team is always taking part. Your baton can be as simple or as creative as you like. The baton is handed over between teammates each time someone new heads onto the track.

Dress to the Theme

Don’t forget to dress up in the event theme! Costumes, themed outfits and fun accessories are all encouraged and help create an exciting atmosphere on the track. Whether you go all out or keep it simple, dressing to the theme is a great way to show your team spirit and add to the fun of the night.

Create a Team Banner

Make and bring a decorative team banner to proudly walk the first lap of Relay and then display it at your site. It’s a great way to showcase your team name, colours and creativity, while helping everyone easily spot your team around the track.

Survivors & Carers

add remove

Relay For Life is a time for our community to come together and celebrate cancer survivors, remember those who are no longer with us and fight back against cancer.

If you or anyone you love has ever heard the words ‘you have cancer’, you know how much if affects us and the people around us. None should face cancer alone, so whether you’re a Survivor or Carer, getting involved in your local Relay For Life can introduce you to others who are facing similar challenges and create opportunities for sharing stories, friendship and hope.

To honour your inspiring journey, you’re invited to be our Guest of Honour at Relay For Life.

You can choose to walk in the Survivor and Carer’s Lap of Honour or just come along for the celebrations.

Our communities wouldn’t be the same without you, so thank you!

If you are having trouble registering, please contact our team on 1300 65 65 85 | [email protected]

Ambassadors

Each year, our volunteer committee has the honour of selecting a Face of Relay and a Patron of Relay for the event. These incredible people have often had a cancer experience, utilised Cancer Council Queensland services or undertaken the vital role of caring for someone with cancer.

The Face of Relay is an ambassador who raises public awareness for the event, whilst sharing their personal cancer experiences with others. This year's Face of Relay is soon to be announced.

The Patron of Relay is an honourable, special supporter of Relay who attends the event on the day. This year's Patron of Relay is soon to be announced."

Under 18s

add remove

Parent or Guardian Consent

If you are under 18 years of age,  you are required to have a parent or guardian give you consent to attend this event. This is part of the registration proves for U18 where you must provide your parent or guardian contact details and they will be notifed of your registration.

If you do not give consent for your child to attend the event, please contact our team on 1300 65 65 85 | [email protected]

Youth Team Supervisors

All participants under 18 years of age are required to have a supervisor over the age of 21 present with their team for the duration of the event.

You must register your supervisor by completing the Youth Supervisor Form that is emailed to you upon registering as a youth. It is the responsibility of the parent, guardian, team captain or youth to ensure the youth supervisor has completed this form.


If a youth team attends Relay For Life without the required number of supervisors over the age of 21, the team will not be able to participate.

Please note that for youth teams, you must have 1 supervisor per 10 youth participants.

If you are a School Team, please contact our team on 1300 65 65 85 | [email protected]

Thank you to our generous sponsors

Leaderboard

Raised so far

$3,266

Our goal

$75,000