Relay For Life

is the American Cancer Society's signature activity, according to the

Society's Web site. It offers everyone in a community a chance to participate

in the fight against cancer. Teams of people camp out at a local high

school, park or fairground and take turns walking or running around a

track or path. Each team is asked to have a representative on the track

at all times during the event. Relays are an overnight event, up to 24

hours in length.

Because Relay

For Life is a community gathering rather than an athletic event, anyone

and everyone can participate. Teams form from businesses, clubs, families,

friends, hospitals, churches, schools, and service organizations. Team

members share a common purpose to support the American Cancer Society's

mission.

More than 80

teams have signed up for the Fayette Relay, which is almost double last

year's total, according to co-chair JoDee Hubbert. Several high schools

have gotten involved with multiple teams.

A game show

theme has been adopted for this year's event. One team from Starr's Mill

High has chosen "Fear Factor" and the team from Burch Elementary

is using "Let's Make a Deal." A number of door prizes will be

given away at the Relay using this format.

The evening

begins with the one-lap survivor walk at about 6:45 p.m. Participants

in that special event will go from there to a survivors dinner, which

takes place as the regular walk is getting started.

The opening

ceremonies are expected to start at about 7:30, with Georgia State University

baseball coach Mike Hurst, an oral cancer survivor, as the special speaker.

The Relay ends

Saturday at 8 a.m. There will be entertainment and games all night long,

Hubbert said, and the general public is invited to stop by at any time.

"It's all free, and it's a family event," she said.

Last year's

Fayette Relay for Life raised $98,000, which was double the previous year's

total. This year, organizers are hoping to raise more than $130,000, Hubbert

said.

Fayette Community

Hospital is the main corporate sponsor for the event, including the survivors

dinner.

The Relay for

Life began in May of 1985 when Dr. Gordy Klatt, a colorectal surgeon and

avid runner, took the first step of his 24-hour walk/run around a track

in Tacoma, Wash. He clocked 83 miles, raising $27,000 to support the American

Cancer Society. The following year, 220 supporters on 19 teams joined

Dr. Klatt in this overnight event, and the American Cancer Society Relay

For Life was born.

Over the last

18 years, Relay For Life has spread to 3,800 communities in the United

States and eight foreign countries. What began as one man's statement

in the fight against cancer has led to the development of a worldwide

event to help banish cancer.

For more information

about the Relay for Life or the American Cancer Society, call the Fayetteville

office at 770-460-8920.

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