To the Editor,

On behalf of the American Cancer Society, the Relay For Life of Chenango County planning committee invites the public to attend this year’s Relay For Life event on Friday, July 19 through Saturday, July 20. Relay For Life is an opportunity for the community to help the American Cancer Society create a world with less cancer – and more birthdays – by helping people stay well, get well, finding cures and by fighting back against the disease of cancer.

The American Cancer Society's Relay For Life is an overnight celebration of hope and survivorship. Teams are made up of dedicated and loyal members who raise funds and collect donations all year long. At the event, teams camp out and members take turns walking around a track to honor those who have fought cancer and in memory of those who are no longer with us. Funds raised through Relay For Life support the life saving work of American Cancer Society.

The event slogan this year is "Life may be a Twister, but Sorry cancer … we’re in it to WIN it!” supporting a board game theme. The public is welcome and encouraged to come to the ChenangoCounty Fairgrounds in Norwich on July 19 and 20 and see what it's all about. Day-of-event participants are welcome. We ask for a donation – or that you support the various teams by donating to their on-site fundraising efforts. Any and all donations will help; the event goal this year is $158,000.

At 5 p.m. we honor our cancer survivors at the Survivor Dinner, which will take place in the Exibihition Hall at the fairgrounds. Please see The Evening Sun or Pennysaver for a copy of the invitation and RSVP if you are a Survivor who would like to attend. Our opening ceremonies begin at 6:30 p.m. on Friday evening. We will kickoff the event with our Survivors and Caregivers taking the first laps. When the sun goes down, the entire community is invited to watch the lighting of thousands of luminaria in a moving ceremony honoring those who have survived the cancer fight and remembering loved ones lost to the disease. The luminaria ceremonies will begin at 9:30 p.m. on Friday evening.

Throughout the overnight event, there will be a health fair featuring many local organizations, massage therapy, balloon animals, games, special events, themed laps, movies, music and even a late night ice cream social. At 7 p.m., Teaser's Salon will be cutting hair for donation to the Pantene Beautiful Lengths program that provides wigs to cancer patients. Many of our Relay teams also provide fun activities, raffles and things to buy at their campsites asking for a donation in return.

On Saturday morning at 8:30 a.m., the closing ceremonies will take place, at which time the individual team fundraiser winners will be announced, and team and individual top fundraisers will be recognized. The event will end with the final closing lap and announcement of the event fundraising totals.

We encourage everyone to come down to this amazing and inspiring event. You do not need to be a member of a team to join us. Bring a little extra cash and donate to an event that will help to raise funds to create a world with more birthdays!

For more information on Relay For Life of Chenango County or the American Cancer Society, call 1-800-227-2345,visit relayforlife.org/chenangocounty.ny or email the Planning Committee at Relay.Chenango@gmail.com.

Sincerely,

Marie T. DeSarro

Event Chair

Relay For Life of Chenango County