CHENANGO COUNTY – Although snow is still on the ground and winter weather remains in the air, the time has come to begin preparations for the annual Chenango County Relay for Life.

The 2009 Relay will begin at 6 p.m. on Friday, July 17 and end at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 18. While the event is still five months away, the Relay for Life Committee will begin planning for it next week, and the first event-wide fundraiser will be held soon after.

According to the Relay for Life web site, “Relay For Life is the American Cancer Society’s signature activity. It offers everyone in a community an opportunity to participate in the fight against cancer.” Teams of people raise money for the event and take turns walking or running around a track. The money raised during the event is used to fund cancer research, patient and family programs, advocacy and health education, since many forms of cancer are avoidable with lifestyle changes.