Relay For Life:

We'd like to invite you to take part in a unique event. The Relay For Life is a fun and inspirational event that brings together a community to raise funds for cancer research, the development of new prevention and detection programs and to help the American Cancer Society continue to provide its patient support programs.

The American Cancer Society Relay For Life is the largest cancer fighting event in the nation, raising nearly $250 million last year alone! At the Relay For Life Event, we honor all those we know who have battled cancer.

For those of you who have not heard of the American Cancer Society Relay For Life , it is an overnight event in which team members take turns walking, strolling or even running around the track. People often ask why Relay For Life is held through the night. The event is held overnight to signify the fact that cancer never sleeps. If you look at the Relay For Life logo, you will see a symbol of a moon and a sun. This represents a day in the life of a cancer survivor, but not just one day. It represents the journey of a cancer survivor from the time of diagnosis until the time of recovery. The overnight event has the same symbolization. The sun is up at the start of the event, it goes down for a dark period, representing the diagnosis and fight, and then rises again in the morning, providing hope and the promise of recovery.

We want to show our support for those who live with this reality every day and every night. The event will be held May 19-20, 2006 . There will be food, games and music throughout the evening and night to keep the energy flowing. The event kicks off at 7pm. Survivors will walk around the track in the Survivor's Lap soon after that. This is a very appropriate kick off as it inspires all who are present and bring to the forefront the faces of those who have met this dreaded disease head on. It is a very motivating way to kick off the Relay . There will also be a Luminaria Ceremony at dusk where lighted candle bags will line the track, each one in honor or memory of a loved one who has faced cancer.

We warmly invite you to organize a team to participate in this great community-building event.  We would be happy to schedule a visit for a committee member to meet with you to share further information about how to become a part of the Relay For Life tradition in  Duplin County . Regardless of your interest in forming a team or making a donation, we warmly invite you to join us at the 2006 Relay For Life to see for yourself what a wonderful inspiring time it is. Relay For Life represents the HOPE that those lost to cancer will never be forgotten, that those who face cancer will be supported, and that one day cancer will be eliminated.

For more information, please contact Kathy at 910-296-2782 or Amanda at 910-282-4257.