The Catskill Chronicle

LOCH SHELDRAKE, NY (March 9, 2012) – The American Cancer Society Relay For Life is an overnight community celebration where individuals and teams camp out, barbecue, dance, and take turns walking or running around a track “relay” style to raise funds to fight cancer. Relay for Life has spread to more than 5,000 communities across the country.

This year’s Relay for Life takes place on Saturday, June 2, 2012 beginning at 11:00 a.m. and will end on Sunday, June 3 at 7:00 a.m. The event takes place at Sullivan County Community College.

Relay starts with a Survivors Lap – an inspirational time when survivors are invited to circle the track together and help everyone celebrate the victories we’ve achieved over cancer. Caregivers are also recognized and celebrated at Relay for Life. These individuals give their time, love and support to friends, family, neighbors and co-workers who face cancer.

At nightfall, participants will light hundreds of luminaria candles around the track in a touching ceremony to honor cancer survivors as well as friends and family members lost to the disease.

To finish the event there is a Fight Back Ceremony, where the attendees make a personal commitment to save lives by taking up the fight against cancer. That personal commitment may be to do something as simple as getting a screening test, quitting smoking, or talking to elected officials about cancer. By taking action, people are personally taking steps to save lives and fight back against a disease that takes too much.

Volunteers and participants are needed for this annual event that helps people stay well, get well, find cures and fight back in the Sullivan County area. Many different committees are now forming in areas such as entertainment, games, food and prizes, and volunteers are needed to assist with registration, participation, team recruitment, etc.

In addition, local companies, community groups, civic associations, religious organizations, schools, and others are encouraged to participate by forming a Relay for Life team or becoming a sponsor. Sponsorships can be tailored to meet a group’s ability to give.

If you would like to volunteer or find out how to build a team for the American Cancer Society Relay for Life in your community, call 1-800-227-2345 or visit relayforlife.org/nynj for more information or to create a virtual team or donate online anytime.