Table of Contents
Relais pour la Vie 2025: A Heartfelt Celebration of Unity and Hope
The Relais pour la Vie 2025 has once again proven to be an unforgettable event, leaving a strong impression and indelible mark on all who participated. Held at the Coque sports centre in Kirchberg on the 22nd and 23rd of March, this 20th edition brought together over 15,000 participants, including 214 virtual teams and 323 in-person teams, all united in the fight against cancer.
The arena pulsed with movement, emotion, and purpose – every lap walked or run, every cheer shouted from the stands and every donation made, reflected a powerful collective message: you are not alone.
From survivors to supporters, healthcare professionals to volunteers, and loved ones honouring those they’ve lost – Relais 2025 was a true celebration of life, strength, and hope.
👉 Read on to relive the magic, the music, the costumes, the candles – and the incredible spirit that made this the event of the year. 💙
A Vibrant Atmosphere of Togetherness
From the very first step onto the track, you could feel it in the air – a shared, pulsing heartbeat of purpose, passion, and deep mutual respect. The entire arena seemed to glow with a warmth that went far beyond the stage lights or the vibrant relay banners; it came from the people.
The hugs between strangers. The hands reaching out for high-fives. The teammates quietly walking together in reflection, or bursting out in laughter between laps. This wasn’t just an event – it was a space where everyone belonged, regardless of their role or reason for being there.
For our team ALGSO, that spirit of connection was immediate and powerful. Members who may never have met before found themselves cheering side-by-side, sharing snacks, or exchanging stories in the bleachers. It didn’t matter whether you were running, walking, or simply soaking in the moment – you were part of something bigger.
And it wasn’t just support. It was recognition.
A knowing nod from someone who’s been through it. A joyful wave from someone whose life has been touched by recovery, by loss, or by hope. These small, unscripted moments of human connection created a sense of grounding that made everyone feel seen, heard, and held.
In those 24 hours, titles disappeared – you weren’t defined as a doctor, a survivor, a carer, or a coach. You were simply part of a united movement of people who care. And that, perhaps more than anything else, is what made the atmosphere so extraordinary.
Dynamic Track Entertainment
The track was alive with a plethora of engaging activities designed to keep spirits high and participants motivated:
Engaging Activities for All Ages
Beyond the track, the arena buzzed with activities catering to both young and old:
Children’s Entertainment (from 10 AM Sunday):
General Attractions:
Unwavering Support and Encouragement
The unshakable support from our “team ALGSO” members was not just present – it was palpable, like an invisible thread woven between each person wearing the ALGSO colours (or our Team 💙 ALGSO bracelets). From the earliest shifts to the bleary-eyed late-night relays, there was always someone there to offer a thumbs-up, a cheer, a hand on the shoulder, or simply a smile that said, “You’ve got this.” Our team had each other’s backs – not just logistically, but emotionally. Whether someone was nervous about their lap, tired from the previous one, or just soaking in the atmosphere, there was a constant undercurrent of care and presence.
What made it even more special was how this sense of unity didn’t stop at the edge of the ALGSO team zone. It rippled outward into the whole arena. Other teams – people we’d never met – welcomed our members as if they were their own, clapping, waving, and sometimes even jumping in with a dance move or two during the more animated moments. The musical energy of tambourines and rhythmic clapping was matched by the emotional resonance of kind words, colourful signage and encouraging gestures.
When our beloved low-budget Beauty and the Beast duo hit the track for the 4am costume lap, it was as if the whole arena was re-energised and turned into a cheer squad.
Cheers rang out from every section of the bleachers, applause motivated their every step and waves and fist bumps greeted them at every turn. They were met with numerous photo requests and delightfully playful interactions from other relayers on the track. From gallant bows, to in-character interactions, everyone chimed in to make it an unforgettable experience.
And the best part? They were not the only ones to experience this! It didn’t matter who you were or where you were from – support had no borders that weekend. Everyone cheered for everyone, and it felt like the truest definition of community.
Check out these highlights from the various costume laps!
An Opening Ceremony Filled with Emotion
The opening ceremony set a profound tone for the relay. After a musical number titled “Never Going Down” (read more about it further down the article), the hosts started carefully and beautifully guiding the ceremony in French and Luxembourgish.
The Opening Speeches
There were many informative and heartfelt speeches from the likes of:
The Testimonies
The emotional height, and much anticipated speeches came from four courageous speakers, who shared their personal experiences with cancer, offering raw and honest insights that deeply resonated with the audience. The truth of their words and the authenticity of their emotions echoed through the space, touching everyone on a personal level. Each moment of vulnerability, each pause or quiver in their voice, was met with collective applause and unwavering support, highlighting the community’s solidarity, empathy and understanding.
We would like to extend a very big and heartfelt thank you to Laura, José, Benoît and Violaine for your courage, vulnerability, strength and raw humanity. Your stories touched each and every one of us, your strength and resilience shone brightly, empowering us all from within and your open vulnerability was jaw-droppingly inspiring. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you. 💙
If you would like to re-watch their testimonies, here they are:
HRH, The Grand Duchess Maria Teresa
The presence of Her Royal Highness, Grand Duchess Maria Teresa – Fondation Cancer’s honorary president – brought with it a unique kind of grace and humility. She didn’t come as royalty that day – she came as a woman, as a daughter who had experienced loss, and as someone willing to stand with us in solidarity and show her emotion.
Her openness and honesty regarding the loss of both of her parents to cancer created a space of deep mutual respect, and when Dr Carole Bauer revealed that it was, in fact, her birthday, the crowd’s appreciation became even more heartfelt. It wasn’t just polite applause and an off-key birthday song – it was a true, collective thank you. For being present. For speaking truth. For reminding us that grief, resilience, and love are universal, regardless of status or background.
The Survivor and Caregiver Tour
As is tradition, the ceremony concluded with the presentation of a rose to every survivor, then the Survivor and Caregiver tour, followed by the parade of the different participating teams.
The ceremony reminded everyone present why they were there. It anchored the event in shared humanity, making every lap walked or run over the next 24 hours feel even more meaningful.
Coaches Standing in Solidarity
The presence of our ALGSO coaches running alongside members further reinforced the familial atmosphere. Their participation exemplified the organisation’s commitment to holistic support, bridging the gap between guidance and companionship.
Their participation added a uniquely heartfelt layer to the entire weekend. It wasn’t just symbolic – it was deeply personal. These coaches, who day-to-day guide, motivate, and empower our members through physical activity, chose to lace up their shoes and step onto the track not as instructors, but as teammates. Their participation blurred the line between professional and peer, reminding us all that support is a two-way street, and that healing is not something we do alone.
There’s something incredibly powerful about seeing the very people who help you rebuild your strength walking beside you – matching your pace, cheering you on, sometimes even holding your hand through the tougher laps. It sent a message that went beyond words: we believe in you, and we’re here with you every step of the way. Whether it was a coach jogging a midnight shift, taking a silly selfie in costume, or offering a gentle pep talk before a lap, each interaction reinforced that ALGSO is more than an association – we’re a family.
Their presence on the track also inspired others. People from other teams stopped to ask who they were (though the monkey suit might be to blame for that), what ALGSO does, and how they could get involved. It became a living, breathing promotion of what it means to show up for one another – in training, in recovery, in community, and in life. It was companionship in motion, and it perfectly reflected ALGSO’s mission to Move Together, Heal Together.
Thank you to Petz, Caroline and Quentin for your unwavering support, massive hearts and boundless energy. Your kindness and spirit moved more people than you can imagine and your presence truly made a difference. The ALGSO family is incredibly lucky to have such passionate and inspiring souls leading the way. 💙
Thank you to our coaches who followed and supported us online, through our social media channels. Your support did not go unnoticed. 💙
A Lasting Impact and Anticipation for the Future
Needless to say, the Relais pour la Vie 2025 was undeniably the highlight of the year – an event that didn’t just gather people together, but wove them into a tapestry of emotion, feeling and connection. From the very first lap to the closing ceremony, it was clear that this was more than a relay; it was a living, breathing expression of resilience, compassion, and solidarity. Every person who stepped into the Coque – whether as a runner, supporter, volunteer, or visitor – left with their hearts a little fuller and a sense of belonging that lingers long after the last lap.
The stories shared, the laughter exchanged, the tears witnessed, and the steps walked in silence or celebration – all of it built a collective memory that will live on in the minds of everyone who was there. Whether it was your first time participating or your twentieth, something about this edition felt unique – deep, real and very connected.
And so, it’s no surprise that the feeling now is one of eager anticipation. There’s already a buzz in the air – a “when’s the next one?” energy that speaks volumes about the impact this weekend had. As we look to 2026, we’re not just hoping to repeat what we experienced; we’re ready to grow it, amplify it, and welcome even more people into this beautiful movement. Because the foundation laid this year, built on love, laughter, loss, and the determination to fight back, is too powerful not to continue.
Here’s to next year – stronger, louder, and even more united. Let’s keep moving forward, together.
Don’t miss out on next year’s Relais pour la Vie – trust us, you really want to experience it! Sign up to our newsletter here below to get all the important updates and information necessary, so as not to miss the sign-up deadline!
Celebrating a Remarkable Achievement
A testament to the dedication, generosity and collective power of all involved, an impressive €677 172,92 was raised so far, during Relais pour la Vie 2025. These funds will significantly contribute to supporting patients and their families, advancing preventive measures, and financing vital cancer research.
This figure is more than just a very long number (is anyone else getting sweaty flashbacks of their school-time maths classes?). It is a reflection of thousands of gestures, big and small, all made with a clear intention and all motivated by love, determination and purpose. This number is the proof that, when united together under a common emotion and purpose, we no longer act as individuals focused on self-gain. We collectively rise as one, see the bigger picture and demonstrate the power of community and humanity through action and compassion.
Every kilometer cycled (a massive round of applause to all the cyclists sweating for the cause! We saw you and we celebrate you! 💪), every candle lit, every coin dropped into the donation boxes… This all came together to produce this powerful result: a testament to the sheer force of community fundraising.
These funds will play a vital role in multiple areas. First and foremost, they will directly help cancer patients and their families, providing them with crucial and much needed support during some of the most difficult moments of their lives. This might mean access to counselling, rehabilitation programmes, information services, or logistical aid that lightens the burden during treatment and recovery.
In addition, the funds will contribute to cancer prevention and awareness campaigns, helping to educate the public, promote early detection, and encourage healthier lifestyles. These initiatives are fundamental in reducing future cancer cases and giving more people the chance to live longer, healthier lives.
And just as importantly, a portion of this money will go toward funding crucial cancer research, supporting scientists and medical professionals in their work to better understand, treat, and one day cure this disease. Each euro raised is a step closer to breakthroughs in oncology.
So to everyone who gave, supported, ran, clapped, danced, cycled, or simply showed up – thank you. Your contribution is making a real, tangible difference and turned this into a fundraising success!
Memorable Performances
Both the candle and opening ceremonies featured beautiful musical and acrobatic performances, adding layers of art, beauty and emotion to the event. These artistic expressions served as real reminders of the resilience and humanity inside each and every one of us.
The Opening Ceremony
The opening ceremony was officially launched (no pressure! 😅) by Jean-Jacques Mailliet‘s trance-like performance of his own composition “Never Going Down”. While his e-violin sent reverberations through the arena, his vocals conveyed a powerful message of resilience, strength and determination.
Last year’s Relais pour la Vie (2024) saw an energetic, Vivaldi-fueled, acrobatic group number, demonstrating a collective strength and energetic support system.
This year’s Relais pour la Vie (2025) however, demonstrated another, more solitary side of the journey: the raw power and determination that a single person can have. The subtle hints of loneliness in the face of this disease, the strength necessary to fight through it, and the empowering feeling of one’s own determination in the face of challenge.
Jean-Jacques Mailliet perfectly embodied this in his one-man show, breathing life into his own creation and beautifully expressing himself through his violin and voice.
The Candle Ceremony
The candle ceremony, with it’s minute of silence, is another famously anticipated moment. Candles are placed into hundreds of paper bags that were decorated by anyone wishing to honour a loved one lost to cancer or someone battling through it. These little pockets of light represent hope, love, sorrow, pain, promises, remembrance and strength.
Some bags held personal messages, inside jokes, poems and pledges, whilst others were decorated with colourful images, drawings from the heart. Every bag was unique and represented a unique, personal story.
Each bag was carefully placed along the track and, at 5pm on Sunday, the ceremony commenced.
All runners, joggers, dancers, walkers and cyclists came to a halt as the lights dimmed, revealing the hundreds of flickering candles. In the center of the arena, a harpist softly played, her lilting music rising to accompany the graceful moves of a lone acrobat. Four illuminated hoops lay on the floor and, gently encouraged by the harpist’s melodies, she wove her choreography around, through and with them, picking them up one by one and adding them to her routine. For every hoop picked up, a word was revealed, filling the space so gracefully cleared by the acrobat until we could read:
20
ANS
AVEC
VOUS
The music over and the message revealed, it was time for a minute of silence. Thoughts wondered to faces, emotions, places and words. Memories surged, fingers tightened and eyes closed.
60 seconds later, the lights turned on, bringing us back to the present and signalling to the runners that the track was theirs once more. Hugs and kisses were exchanged, hands reaching out to the friends and loved ones surrounding us then and there, and kindness, empathy and love rang out.
Looking Ahead
As we look back on these collective experiences, emotional moments, and unforgettable connections forged during Relais pour la Vie 2025, one truth shines through above all: when we come together, we are unstoppable.
The power of community – of walking side by side, cheering each other on, sharing laughter, tears, and quiet strength – was felt in every corner of the arena and in every lap around the track.
Once again, the ALGSO family extends its warmest, most heartfelt thank you to each and every person who took part – whether you ran, walked, danced, sang, volunteered, organised, donated, or simply showed up to cheer someone on. Your presence, your energy, your open-hearted support all contributed to making this year’s event not only a resounding success, but a deeply meaningful statement for our members and for everyone touched by cancer.
We’re proud of the family that we are together – but even more so, we’re inspired to keep going. Together, we’ve relayed hope. And together, we will continue to move forward, united and unshakable in the face of adversity.
Want to relive the magic? 💙
All the photos taken by our ALGSO photographer throughout the event – from the joyful to the emotional, the sweaty to the silly – are now available in our Photo Gallery. Go take a look, tell your friends, share the memories, and see just how powerful this community really is. You might even spot yourself mid-laugh or giving a well-earned high-five on the track!
Did you like this ALGSO recap of the Relais pour la Vie 2025? If so, share it with your friends and start planning next year’s Relais pour la Vie! We’ll definitely be there and we can’t wait to see you too!
📅 For updates on upcoming events, ways to get involved, and how to continue supporting the ALGSO mission, be sure to stay connected with us:
🌐 Bookmark our Website
📩 Sign up for our Newsletter
📱 Follow us on Instagram and Facebook
Let’s keep moving. Let’s keep healing. Let’s keep doing it together. 💙
Move Together,
Heal Together