Kosciusko County's Relay For Life will kick off May 5 at the Kosciusko Fairgrounds.
The event will begin at 2 p.m. May 5 with an opening ceremony, and end May 6 at 8 a.m.
There are 35 teams currently registered, and $39,000 has been raised for cancer research, according to relay chairperson Rachel Gorman.The goal for this year's relay is $50,000.
Proceeds will be donated to the American Cancer Society.
Gorman said teams can still register or join a team the day of the event.
"We hope the event will be a time for the community to bond together and take away an educational experience in preventing and learning about cancer," Gorman said.
This is Gorman's first year serving as chairperson. She said she will remember her father this year who passed away on the weekend of last year's relay from lung cancer.
"No one is immune to cancer, and there are very few people who don't know co-workers, friends or family whose lives have been affected by cancer," Gorman said.
Local Boy Scouts will conduct a flag ceremony. An opening lap will take place during the opening ceremony.
Those who attend will release balloons into the air during the ceremony. Purple balloons represent cancer survivors, and pink balloons represent cancer supporters.
The theme for this year's relay is "Game Night." Teams will participate in games throughout the relay and win prizes.
A survivors' dinner catered by Kosciusko Community Hospital will be held May 5 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the fairgrounds for cancer survivors, their spouses or caregivers.
Shawna Farina, a breast cancer survivor, will speak during the dinner. Pre-registration is required for the dinner by calling Sue Bartley at 574-566-3081.
Gorman said if 100 survivors attend the dinner, she will spray her hair purple.
Entertainment will be held May 5 throughout the day by Caudills ATA Black Belt Academy, Deb Collier's Dance Troop and bands.
A fish fry will be held May 5 from 3 to 6 p.m. Fish fry tickets are available by calling Bartley.
A euchre tournament also will be held May 5 from 3 to 5 p.m. To pre-register for the tournament, send a $10 registration fee with full name, address, phone number and e-mail address to Delores Frank, 1402 Tanager Drive, Warsaw, IN 46580.
A luminary ceremony will be held May 5 from 8:30 to 10 p.m. where luminaries will line the track representing those who have survived cancer and lost their lives to cancer. Luminaries can be purchased at the relay.
A sunrise church service will be held May 6 at 6:30 a.m. The closing ceremony with awards will be held at 7:30 a.m.
Volunteers still are needed for decorating luminaria bags, registration and ticket sales.
People with questions about the relay, or to register a team or volunteer, can call Gorman at 574-268-5201.
