Number of Participants: 1000
Hours Donated: 12
Value of Time Served: $417,480
Event Amount Raised: $83,000
Event Type: Health & Medicine
Activity: Schools
Date: June 7, 2026
Location:
Smithtown High School East
School Street, Saint James
NY
About:
Students from Smithtown High School East and Smithtown High School West came together for an inspiring night of service, perseverance, and community impact during their annual Relay For Life event, raising more than $83,000 to support the American Cancer Society.
Held overnight from Saturday into Sunday, the 12-hour fundraiser transformed the track at Smithtown High School West into a powerful symbol of hope and determination. Students, staff, families, and community members united in the fight against cancer, demonstrating the strength that comes from working together for a meaningful cause.
Relay For Life is a team-based fundraising event where participants take turns walking around the track throughout the night. The event serves as the culmination of months of fundraising, planning, and cancer awareness efforts led by students from both high schools.
One of the most meaningful traditions of Relay For Life is the commitment to keep at least one team member on the track at all times. This continuous movement symbolizes the reality that cancer never stops, while honoring those currently battling the disease and remembering loved ones who have lost their fight.
Despite weather challenges during the event, participants remained committed to the cause. The annual Luminaria Ceremony, a moving tribute honoring cancer survivors and remembering those lost, was relocated indoors.
“Our Luminaria ceremony moved into the gym due to the weather. Some canopy tents were lost, but it was all for a great cause,” shared High School West advisor Dillon Archer.
The event’s success reflects not only the generosity of the Smithtown community but also the dedication and leadership of the students who spent months organizing fundraisers, building awareness, and inspiring others to get involved. Their efforts resulted in more than $83,000 being raised to support cancer research, patient services, and lifesaving programs through the American Cancer Society.
By turning compassion into action, Smithtown students continue to demonstrate the positive impact young people can have when they rally around a cause larger than themselves. Their commitment to making a difference serves as an inspiration to their school community and beyond.
