A charity walk raising money for cancer treatment has pulled in the second-highest amount in donations in its 12-year history.

The Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre announced yesterday morning that Relay for Life had raised $630,302, with more donations still being counted.

It overtook last year’s haul, which stood until now as the second-highest amount in donations.

The largest amount of donations received was in 2023, when the event raised $804,530.

Azuree Williams, the project manager of Relay for Life, said the public response was “jaw-dropping”.

She added: “If we’re at $600,000, then we can easily get to $700,000 before the year’s out.”

Relay for Life celebrates those who fought cancer and their support system of caretakers and loved ones.

The first leg of the charity walk started yesterday, when more than a thousand people showed up to walk laps around the National Sports Centre’s North Field.

This morning, several hundred people returned to the stadium in Devonshire to continue the celebrations.

Dance performances and musical entertainment kept the atmosphere lively as participants continued laps around the field.

Sponsor tents also offered food and other items to those who arrived for the second leg of the event.

Ms Williams said she was “speechless” when the estimated figure was revealed today.

She said: “It really shows the true, amazing spirit of the Bermudian community and how much they truly give back.”

Donations will continue to be counted after the event ends.

Chris Fosker, the medical director of BCHC, said the event “never fails to surprise” him, with so many people willing to give back.

He said: “The missions of Relay and Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre is to make sure that everyone in Bermuda has access to world-class cancer care for all.

“One of the most important factors of that, to break down that barrier, is simply cash.”

Dr Fosker recalled a former cancer patient who feared the cost of treatment before he told this patient that the BCHC did not require a co-pay.

He added: “The only reason we’re able to do that is because of events like this, and it makes such a massive, massive difference.”

Dr Fosker said that the benefits and success of Relay for Life should be publicised more, adding that Bermuda should be “proud” of what it offered those in need.

He said: “The fundraising that this event generates means it really empowers us as a centre, us as a community, to be able to deliver that world-class care for everyone who needs it and everyone who deserves it.

“We need to celebrate this moment, we need to celebrate ourselves and we need to be thankful, thankful for everyone who turned up.”