Relay For Life at Father Ryan
Celebrate. Remember. Fight Back.
A Relay for Life to Remember
Every year, the Father Ryan community comes together for Relay For Life to raise money for the fight against cancer. As the largest student-led Relay For Life in the country, the 2022 event was one to remember. Students reached their goal and raised $183,542.62 for cancer research, and we couldn’t be prouder! This achievement brings the lifetime total raised by Father Ryan's Relay for Life to $1.72M! 

Students, faculty, and community members spent a Saturday on campus honoring cancer survivors and fighters, participating in fun events to raise money, and walking endless laps around the track as a reminder that no one ever walks alone in the fight against cancer. Thank you to Relay For Life Co-Chairs Grace Holland '23 and Kate McDonnell '23 and the entire Relay For Life Committee for all of your outstanding work to make this event a success!

Meet Our 2022 Student Co-Chairs!

Grace Holland '23

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    Grace Holland '23 is thrilled to serve as co-chair for the 2022 Relay for Life to help raise money for a cause close to her heart.

    Outside of Relay and the classroom, Grace is a member of the Softball Team, Student Ambassadors, Student Ministry Team, National Honor Society, Emerald House Leadership, and Irish Service Corps.

    When reflecting on the meaning of Relay for Life, Grace said “Relay is important to me because both of my grandparents fought cancer and survived, so I relay with them in mind and everyone else who has lost loved ones to cancer. I wanted to serve as co-chair because I joined the committee my sophomore year and fell in love with the organization, the mission, and the people it connected me with at Father Ryan. I felt at home on the Relay for Life Committee. I wanted to have a bigger leadership role since it is my third year, and I felt my experience could best be used leading the entire committee as one of this year's co-chairs.”

Kate McDonnell '23

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    Kate McDonnell '23 is honored to serve as co-chair for the 2022 Relay for Life to support a cause to fight cancer.

    Outside of Relay and the classroom, Kate is a member of the Dance Team, Tennis Team, Captain of Elliston House, Vice-President of National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Respect Life Club/March for Life attendee, Student Ambassador, Student Ministry Team, Spanish Honor Society, and Cum Laude.

    When asked why Relay is important to her, Kate stated, “Relay for Life is important to me because I get to advocate for my family and friends who have suffered both directly and indirectly from cancer, and I know that my time and effort are making a positive impact on the future generations.”



Spirit of Relay Award

It was an exceptionally great morning to be Irish on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 as Father Ryan proudly accepted the first-ever Pat Flynn Spirit of Relay Award from the American Cancer Society (ACS).
 
ACS CEO Gary Reedy, as well as ACS Chief Medical and Scientific Officer Dr. Bill Cance and many members of the ACS Global Board, were on hand to present the award to 2019 Relay for Life Co-Chairs Madison Ahern ‘20 and Danny Farone ‘20.

Dr. Cance then took time to go to science classes to discuss careers in medicine and research, the work being done in pursuit of a cure for cancer, and the dangers of vaping and e-cigarettes.

Fox 17 Nashville, WSMV, and The Tennessean, among other outlets, were on hand to cover the ceremony.  

This award is a tremendous honor for the thousands in the Father Ryan community who have selflessly committed countless hours of their time over the past decade in making Father Ryan’s Relay For Life the largest student-led, per capita, Relay For Life in the nation.
Father Ryan High School