Chenango County’s 17th annual Relay For Life event kicks off this afternoon, as hundreds of expected participants take to the track at the Chenango County fairgrounds in Norwich to join in solidarity to celebrate, remember, and fight back against cancer.

“Life may be a twister, but sorry cancer, ‘we’re in it to win it,’” is the theme adopted for this year’s event. More than 490 participants representing 40 teams are anticipated to take part in the activities that will begin at 3 p.m. and continue through the night with the closing ceremonies Saturday at 8:30 a.m.

The event’s aim this year - as has been in past years - is to remember those who have lost their battle with cancer, to celebrate those who have survived, offer the public insight into the disease, and raise funds to help toward research and support programs for cancer patients and their caregivers.

Chenango’s Relay For Life has set a $158,000 goal - and is well on its way to reaching it - having raised $110,500 to date.

In 2012 the event raised more than $150,000, and Relay committee members are confident they will reach the goal they have set for this year.