Student-Led Cancer Action Group Reflects on Relais pour la Vie 2025

On 22-23 March 2025, International School of Luxembourg actively participated in the Relais pour la vie event. The student-led Cancer Action group significantly contributed to the event through four impactful projects. We are proud of their initiative, dedication, and support in championing this meaningful cause.

Below is their detailed report, highlighting their efforts, achievements, and the meaningful experiences they encountered while supporting this important cause. We are pleased to share it with our wider community.

Cancer Action project report on Relais pour la vie 2025

The Cancer Action group is a student-led service group launched this school year to take a more wide-ranging approach to advocacy and fundraising on cancer-related topics. We established four distinct sub project groups this year to support Relais pour la vie, an event ISL has supported for many years. The group will also explore other avenues to engage with advocacy and fundraising throughout the year, focusing on local responses to this global health issue.

Relay Teams

This year’s Relais Pour La Vie was a fantastic demonstration of the ISL community coming together for a special cause. Organized by team vice-captains Akari and Charlotte, we were able to gather around 50 participants; 26 students, 9 parents, and 12 staff members and families! Thanks to every participant, the ISL teams were able to raise €1040. The contributions will be used by the Fondation Cancer for patients, caregivers, and for cancer research. One thing that stood out was how smoothly participants transitioned from runner to runner throughout the event, and how their teamwork kept the relay efficient and engaging. It was especially impressive to see the runners’ commitment and energy, even in the early hours.

Candle Ceremony

The candle ceremony is celebrated annually to show solidarity to those we have lost, to the people who have overcome and to those who are still fighting against cancer. Every year, a different message is displayed using paper bags filled with candles, which are bought and decorated by the public during the event. This year a message was displayed with a light show stating “20 Ans Avec Vous” (‘20 years with you’) for the event's 20th anniversary. Adrian and Finn lead ISL’s candle ceremony team of 36 volunteers in collaboration with the volunteers from Relais Pour La Vie.The ISL team showed great dedication in setting up this great event throughout Sunday 23 March. Participating in this project was a touching experience, and working with such a great team allowed us to build new connections and teamwork which were crucial to a successful event.

Virtual Team and other fundraising

Once again, this year ISL had a virtual team, also known as ‘ISL 3’ alongside the in-person teams which allowed anyone who could not make it to the event to still show solidarity. Signing up for the virtual team is as easy as giving a small donation and going on a walk, or run, alone, with friends and or family, at any time or day. Some parent groups such as the Walking group and Dog Walking groups joined in and dedicated one of their walks to the event. This year, the virtual team and extra events were led by Agniia and Pietra, grade 9. Their main fundraising came from their refreshment sale at the Big ISL show, raising 370€, and even more through a portion of ticket sales. To raise awareness they also represented the project at the Action Fair for the 5th graders, and the HS marketplace. All of these events were only able to happen because of our community actively engaging with our topic. A big thank you for your support.

Rose Project

The Rose Project is a heartfelt initiative dedicated to showing solidarity with those affected by cancer. It involves crafting over 100 paper roses to be distributed to both former and current cancer patients as a gesture of hope, solidarity, and unwavering support. Once delivered to Fondation Cancer, each handcrafted rose was given to a patient at CHL, symbolizing the Luxembourgish community’s compassion and support, and to remind patients that they are not alone in their journey.

This year marked the first time ISL undertook this initiative. Sofia, Alexandra and Onse led the project in collaboration with Fondation Cancer. In addition to the student leaders, a significant number of roses were assembled by grade 11 advisory groups and by some grade 12 students also.

Participating in this project was a very meaningful experience. Working in a small team also emphasized the importance of communication and collaboration, both of which were key to bringing this project to life.

The current Cancer Action group counts approximately 10 members from grades 9 to 12 including the project leaders and also contributors Elina, Elizaveta, Camila and Yejin. The group would like to acknowledge the Innovation Grant awarded by Dr Condon to cover the cost of new vibrant t-shirts for all participants and volunteers to be reused each year, and for some materials for the Rose Project. 

We are already looking forward to next year and will warmly welcome new motivated student advocates to our group!