This year marked the third year in a row that the Relais pour la Vie was hosted digitally and not at the Coque leisure centre in Kirchberg as before the pandemic.

Teams taking part must walk or run a combined 24 hours to complete the challenge. Proceeds from sign-up fees and money raised by the teams goes to supporting cancer patients and their families as well as cancer research in Luxembourg.

While the event previously marked a full-day event, teams in the pandemic format could complete their 24 hours over the weekend of 26 March, for example by going for a joint run.  

In total, 364 teams with 8,772 people signed up.

“We thank all participants for their commitment, their presence and their generosity,” said Lucienne Thommes, director of the Fondation Cancer. “It’s thanks to this momentum of solidarity that we can finance research, offer support to patients and their relatives to inform them about cancer.”

Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, who is honorary president of the cancer charity in a video message thanked all those participating in the Relais pour la Vie. “Every year, thousands of you answer the call and this makes me proud,” she said. “It moves me that your commitment for the patients never stops.”