Relay For Life, the signature fundraiser of the American Cancer Society’s fight against the dreaded disease, has been ongoing across the country for several years now. In Clinton County, the annual fund drive will culminate on Friday night at 7 p.m. at Clinton County High School.

For an area the size of Albany/Clinton County, the generosity of local residents over the years–per ratio of population–has been tremendous and this year’s event is expected to be no less.

For the past several weeks and months, and for some, all year long, citizens have been working and volunteering their time and efforts to raise money to be used for research to help find a cure for cancer once and for all.

The 2013 efforts will come to light this Friday night when hundreds of people–including many cancer survivors–will gather for a full night of activities and fun, but most important, remembrance of those who lost their battle with the disease and encouragement for those still fighting the fight.

This year is also somewhat unique in that 2013 is the American Cancer Society’s (ACS) 100th anniversary.

The opening ceremonies will be that of lighting the luminaries’s in memory of cancer victims and cancer survivors taking the “first lap” around the gymnasium floor.

There will be guest speakers and events throughout the night into Saturday morning, April 27 at 7 a.m. with breakfast.

The ACS Relay For Life represents the hope that those lost to cancer will never be forgotten and that people who face cancer will be supported. During the powerful and moving luminary ceremony, candles are lit to honor those battling the disease and to remember loved ones who lost their fight.

A special call is going out for Clinton County and area survivors of cancer to attend the event and celebrate your cancer survival status. Cancer survivors are urged to attend early for registration, as the Survivor Celebration will kick-off the night’s event at 7 p.m.

Over the past weeks and months, teams have been working hard to put together fundraising events of all kinds, with all the proceeds going to the American Cancer Society–and some of the proceeds go directly to benefit Albany and Clinton County.

This year’s fundraising goal for Relay For Life–with this year’s theme being Cancer Colors: A Rainbow of Hope–is $70,000 and they hope to have at least 40 cancer survivors participate as well as 200 luminaries lit.

Luminaries can still be purchased for $5 each prior to Friday night’s event by contacting Kathleen Gregory at Albany Elementary School. This year’s co-chairpersons are Samantha Bowlin and Crystal Pillar. Either can be reached for more information at 387-9317.

The following is the tentative schedule of events for this week’s Clinton County Relay for Life:

* 7 p.m. — Opening ceremony and survival ceremony.

* 7:30 p.m. — Parade of teams.

* 8 p.m. — Cake walk.

* 8:30 p.m. — Womanless Beauty Pageant.

* 9:30 p.m. — Live entertainment.

* 10 p.m. — Luminaria ceremony.

12 midnight to 6 a.m. — Games and activities.

The event will conclude with a breakfast the following morning around 7 a.m. Throughout the night there will also be a silent auction with great items to bid on, entertainment, activities, food and more.

For more information about Relay For Life or the American Cancer Society, you may call 1-800-277-2345 or log on to RelayForLife.org.