The 24-hour relay is now scheduled to start on the evening of Friday, November 20 - a major departure from tradition for the event, which has begun on a Saturday morning for nearly two decades.

The date was changed to Friday after the results of a 2019 survey found the majority of participants wanted to get their Sundays back.

The event will raise money for cancer-affected families who have been doing it especially tough under lockdown, according to Cancer Council community relations officer Christine Williams.

"Even though covid-19 has taken over our lives there are still cancer diagnoses and there are people out there who still need our help," Ms Williams said.

"The crux of Relay For Life is that it is a community event. It celebrates cancer survivorship, remembers loved ones who have died from the insidious disease and empower teams of families, friends and colleagues to raise money to fight back against cancer."

Fundraising activity has been stymied this year, but volunteers have kept up their efforts through last week's Hope at Home fundraiser.

The Cancer Council will also be encouraging locals to host their Australia's Biggest Morning Tea over Zoom to keep the tradition alive in Wagga.

Last year's Wagga Relay For Life raised more than $130,000 which assisted in funding Cancer Council's world class research, prevention programs, advocacy, information and support services for people affected by cancer.

If the lockdown is lifted and the event does go ahead as planned, it will kick off on the night of November 20 at Connolly Oval and finish the next day on November 21.