While it has mostly been a biennial event, there have been times the relay was held in successive years as it moved seasons.

First held in 2002, it subsequently ran in 2003, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2011, 2013, 2015 and 2017.

The Griffith community has raised $726,000 for the NSW Cancer Council through its Relay for Life.

Relay committee member Grant Hearn said the Griffith event had evolved into the community's biggest platform to fight back against all cancers.

"When relay first came to Griffith it was indeed very timely. Griffith was a very conservative town and cancer was not openly spoken about," Mr Hearn said.

"Indeed many cancer survivors had experienced being deliberately avoided by others, simply not to be engaged.

"Along with Griffith's Morning Tea, relay has encouraged people to not just talk openly about cancer, but to share the cancer journey of both people they know and those they don't.

"The visual impact of our survivors and carers is important as they are the tangible evidence that cancer can be defeated."

The current committee consists of chairman Tammy Hirst, Bradley Coombe, Ross Catanzariti, Meagan Hilton, and Mr Hearn and his wife Denise.

The Hearns are the only members from the original organising committee, with Denise having been on all 10 committees and Grant on nine.

"Since 2002 over 5000 participants have registered to walk alongside our cancer survivors and their carers, while investing with Cancer Council NSW to fight back against all cancers," Mr Hearn said.

"Our relay community is always very keen to support the Cancer Council and its holistic approach.

"The relay offers people the opportunity to turn their passion into immediate support of our cancer survivors, but also the opportunity to fund and make possible long-term solutions to cancer."

Mr Hearn said advocacy is another reason people are so passionate about relay.

"At our last relay we gave people the opportunity to lend their voice and passion to a CanAct campaign that sought to increase the NSW government funding of palliative care nurses and clinicians," he said.

"The result was $100 million over four years to improve access to these valuable skills and service.

"I am extremely proud to say that at one point we provided over 10 per cent of the petition signatures received by the campaign.

"Overwhelmingly people support the Griffith relay because they want to contribute to ground-breaking and life-saving cancer research."