The Clinton County Relay For Life, the annual event highlighting the local fight against cancer and promoting cancer research, will be held this Friday, April 22 at Clinton County High School with events beginning at 4 p.m. and running through approximately 10 p.m.

This year’s western theme is “Saddle Up for a Cure” and events held in the gymnasium at CCHS, for a $1 ticket donation, includes inflatables, face painting, food, stickers and games.

Several local volunteers and relay teams have been working year-round to raise funds that will go toward cancer research and help the many who are still battling the dreaded disease.

A final relay committee meeting was held this past Thursday night, for “bank night” in which teams were asked to turn in proceeds raised and receive their Relay For Life team t-shirts.

With what has been raised along with sponsorships, the local committee is hoping to exceed last year’s total raised, which was a little over $52,000.

Events for the public will get underway at CCHS around 4 p.m. Friday, with inflatables for children, facing painting, booths and stations, along with survivor registration and luminaries.

Opening ceremonies will take place at 6 p.m., which will include the ‘first lap’ by cancer survivors, a balloon release and the Alumni Band will also perform, including playing “Happy Birthday” to the survivors.

Awards will be given to the Youngest Survivor, Oldest Survivor and the person who has survived the most years at 6:45 p.m.. There will also be team introductions, team walk, and continued booth set-ups, a silent auction, and survivor meal time.

The Clinton County Elite Cheerleaders will perform at 7:30 p.m., there will be a cake walk at 8 p.m., survivor speeches at 8:30 p.m. and luminaries at 9 p.m., preceding the 10 p.m. wrap-up.

There will also be activities throughout the night, with the Alumni Band performing and something new this year, a live DJ providing music and hosting some events throughout the night.

Everyone is invited to come out, for some or all, of the Relay For Life event and show their support in the fight against cancer, to honor those who have lost their lives to it, and to celebrate with those who have survived.

What is the American Cancer Society Relay For Life?

The American Cancer Society Relay For Life represents hope that those lost to cancer will not be forgotten. That those battling cancer will be supported and that one day cancer will be eliminated. Relay For Life is a fun, overnight team event that raises awareness of cancer in the community and raises much needed funds to fight cancer. During Relay For Life, teams of friends, neighbors, families and co-workers commit to keeping at least one member walking the track at all times…because cancer never sleeps. Ten or more friends, co-workers, or family members come together to form a Relay team. Each team submits a registration fee to support the American Cancer Society’s research, education, advocacy and patient service programs.

* Celebrate the lives of those who have battled cancer. The strength of survivors inspires others to continue the fight.

* Remember loved ones lost to the disease. At Relay, people who have walked alongside people battling cancer can grieve and find healing.

* Fight Back. We Relay because we have been touched by cancer and desperately want to put an end to the disease.

How to Get Involved

Form a team. It is easier than you think to form a Relay For Life team. Here are some suggestions to try:

* Have a Relay party. Invite 10 people–friends, family, co-workers–whomever you want. Serve refreshments and invite a cancer survivor to speak or show a Relay video.

* Get your workplace involved. Invite management to help form or sponsor a team.

* Ask people you know and people you don’t know. You’ll get more response by asking 20 people than by posting 100 flyers.

* Create a team theme. It can be activity-related, like Tackling Cancer (football, fishing).

* Dedicate your team in honor of a cancer survivor to put a face on the fight against cancer and make it personal.

Join the Planning Committee

Relay For Life is a community-owned and volunteer driven and that means that it takes many volunteers to make Relay happen. Our local committee is always looking for fresh faces and new ideas to help make Relay better each year. There’s something for everyone.

Be a Relay Sponsor

The community is very generous in their support of Relay For Life. Local businesses and organizations sponsor Relay so that as much of the donated funds as possible go to the fight against cancer. There are several sponsorship levels with different benefits available.

If you are interested in any of these opportunities–forming a team–joining the Committee or being a Sponsor–please contact any member of our local Relay Committee or call the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345. You can also visit the internet at cancer.org.