Mark your calendars for this Friday, April 25! That is the date for the annual Clinton County Relay For Life, the American Cancer Society’s signature fundraising event for cancer research.

The program will once again be held at the Clinton County High School and will run from 6 p.m. until around 12 midnight. Although this is a shorter version than usual due to a lower amount of relay teams and overall participation, the community can still show its support for cancer patients, survivors and the memory of those that have lost the battle by attending and supporting Friday night’s event.

Relay For Life is a chance for communities to fight back against cancer. It’s a chance to honor those who are currently fighting cancer, those who have beat it, and those brave individuals who have lost their lives to the disease. It’s a night for the community to come together to walk and run around the track to raise money to fight a disease that has claimed too many of its neighbors.

It is also a chance to celebrate and remember. The event kicks off with a survivor lap, where cancer survivors are honored by their loved ones and all those who are present, for their courage.

In years past, per capita, Clinton County has been a leading fundraiser each year in the Relay For Life program. In fact, last year was a near record-breaker, with the county’s goal of $70,000 being exceeded when over $72,000 was raised.

Totals are expected to be down somewhat this year, due to different reasons, including Clinton County now being in a separate ACS area (Bowling Green) whereas they had been working through the Somerset region in years past. The total number of teams are also down to only around a half-dozen this year, almost half as normal.

However, those who are participating have worked hard to raise money for the cause and hope their efforts will pay off when final totals come in after Friday’s main event.

Proceeds raised from Relay For Life allow the American Cancer Society to continue its 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year services to cancer patients and their families. Nearly 14 million cancer survivors will add another candle to their birthday cake this year, and thanks to communities like Albany/Clinton County, that number will increase.

Help Albany and Clinton County in its Relay For Life and help the American Cancer Society and millions of survivors stay strong, fight back and overcome cancer. Help support Clinton County by coming together this Friday night, April 25 at 6 p.m. at the Clinton County High School gym.

To find out more about this Relay For Life event, including how to get involved, call 1-800-227-2345 or visit relayforlife.org.

The following is a tentative agenda for this Friday night’s 2014 Relay For Life:

5 p.m. — Doors open

6 p.m. — Opening ceremony–this will be the survivor lap and awards

7 p.m. — Activities by teams/campsite activities

9 p.m. — Luminaria ceremony

10 p.m. More fun at campsites

11 p.m. Closing ceremony

12 a.m. End of event