Published: May 08, 2008 03:15 pm         

Relay for Life steps off May 9 at Community Complex

Teams of Cumberland County residents will gather at the Cumberland County Community Complex on Friday, May 9, at 6 p.m. for an overnight relay against cancer. Relay for Life is a family-oriented team event where participants walk relay-style around the track and take part in fun activities off the track.

At this year’s event, teams have the opportunity to win the Spirit of Relay award. The Spirit of Relay award is a competitive and fun approach to learning more about health and wellness. In addition, participants will have the opportunity to learn more about the American Cancer Society. The Spirit of Relay award will be a traveling award, with the winning team keeping the award until next year’s Relay for Life.

The Great American Health Check is an activity that team members can do before relay night to earn points for the Spirit of Relay award. To take the Great American Health Check, go to www.cancer.org/healthcheck. You will answer some questions about yourself or a loved one, and the Web site will give you a personalized health action plan. The plan will include recommended cancer early detection tests based on your personal information, suggested lifestyle changes that can reduce your cancer risk, and information to help you begin a dialogue with your physician. Bring a copy of your plan to the Relay for Life event on Friday, May 9, at the Community Complex to have your Spirit of Relay points recorded.

The Spirit of Relay competition will include several additional activities during the Relay for Life event. American Cancer Society mission volunteers will host the activities and help participants learn more about the American Cancer Society. Please visit the Spirit of Relay booth at the relay for more information.

“Relay for Life is a unique opportunity for our community to come together to battle cancer,” said Sherry Lawson, this year’s Relay for Life Mission chairperson. “Our hope is that the mission activities at this year’s event will encourage participants to learn about cancer prevention and early detection.”

The American Cancer Society is dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by saving lives, diminishing suffering and preventing cancer through research, education, advocacy and service. Founded in 1913 and with national headquarters in Atlanta, the society has 13 regional divisions and local offices in 3,400 communities, involving millions of volunteers across the United States. For more information, call 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.