BRUNSWICK

Cancer survivors, caregivers, relayers and anyone interested in ending cancer are invited by The American Cancer Society to the annual Relay For Life of Brunswick fundraising kickoff event Wednesday evening at the Knights of Columbus Hall, located at 2 Columbus Drive.

The hour-long kickoff starts at 6 p.m. and is an opportunity to come and learn about this year’s Relay For Life of Brunswick and the event theme, pick up 2013 Relay materials, learn what’s new for 2013, and ask questions. There will be door prizes and delectable treats in addition to a lot of news about Relay.

“Bring a friend or two, some team members, and anyone you know who wants to learn more about Relay!” the kickoff announcement states. This year’s local Relay is again at the Brunswick High School track on May 17 and 18. Teams may sign up at www.relayforlife.org/brunswickME and follow Relay for Life – Brunswick, Maine on Facebook.

The American Cancer Society Relay For Life is an overnight community celebration where individuals and teams camp out, picnic, dance, play games and take turns circling around a track “relay” style to raise funds and fight cancer. The event opens with the Survivor Lap and as the sun begins to set, the glow of hundreds of luminaria light the track in an emotional silent ceremony. Each bag lit is in honor of a loved one who won the fight against cancer or in remembrance of a special someone who lost their battle. The American Cancer Society Relay For Life represents hope that those lost to cancer will not be forgotten, that those who face cancer will be supported, and that one day, cancer will be eliminated.

Relay For Life began in 1985 with one man who circled around a track for 24 hours raising $27,000. The event has grown and more than 600,000 survivors and 3 million Relay participants walked, fundraised and led the fight against cancer at 5,200 events nationwide in 2012.

For more information contact Cathy Harper at the American Cancer Society at 373-3712 or cathy.harper@cancer.org.

In case of inclement weather, call 373-3703 on Wednesday after 3 p.m. for cancellation information. The snow date is Jan. 16.

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