Relay For Life Menifee, 2011

The American Cancer Society's 6th Annual 24-hour "Relay For Life Menifee" will be held at Paloma Valley High School, from 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 9th to 9 a.m. on Sunday, April 10th, 2011.

Walkers and runners will go round the clock in the battle against cancer in honor of friends and loved ones, hoping to raise funds in the local community for the fight against cancer. Dozens of business and community teams are forming, and cancer survivors are needed to participate in the inspirational "Survivor's Lap," during the Opening Ceremony.

"Relay For Life is a unique opportunity for our community to come together in the fight against cancer," said Cathi Hill, staff partner for the Relay For Life of Menifee for the American Cancer Society. "Many of the participants are cancer survivors, which serves as a reminder that our community is not immune to this disease and that we can actually help our friends, families and neighbors that have been touched by cancer."

Teams of walking and running enthusiasts from all walks of life will gather for the 24-hour relay against cancer. Relay for Life is the American Cancer Society's version of a relay, but with a new twist. Relay for Life is a family-oriented team event where participants can walk or run around the track, relay-style, for 24 hours. Participants camp out around the track and when they aren't taking their turn on the track, they take part in fun activities with family, neighbors, and co-workers.

At the Relay for Life events, local cancer survivors are honored during the "Opening Lap" for survivors only, where participants receive a special medal in celebration of their survivorship.

"There will be activities for attendees of all ages," said Hill. "There will be cancer prevention, healthy lifestyle and nutrition education available so that we can all learn how to take charge of our health. And, of course, we will have music, dance, and the very moving Luminaria Ceremony in the evening." Businesses and organizations throughout the community are joining in the celebration.

"We are still looking for teams and team captains, for cancer survivors and their families, and for local businesses to help us with donations and underwriting," said Hill.

Teams from companies and organizations collect donations and can win prizes for their efforts. A team consists of ten or more members, and can be made up of neighbors, family members, co-workers, church friends, students and youth, or any combination of cancer fighters. Each team member is asked to collect $100 in donations to the American Cancer Society.

"Relay for Life is as much an awareness raiser about progress against cancer as it is a fundraiser to fight cancer," said Hill. "For cancer survivors, their involvement is proof of the progress that has been made not only in cancer cure rates, but in the quality of life following cancer treatment."

"The funds raised will enable us to expand our services to cancer patients and their families, to offer more educational programs that will reduce people's risk of getting cancer, and to expand cancer research programs," Hill added.

Registration forms and information about the Relay for Life are available at www.relayforlife.org/menifeeca or from the American Cancer Society by calling the Inland Empire Area Office at (951) 300-1220. For information on cancer prevention, detection, and treatment, call (800) ACS-2345, or visit the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org.