The American Cancer Society (ACS) is seeking teams of approximately 8-15 people, although team numbers may vary, for its third annual Lee County Relay for Life. This year the Survivors Victory Lap is scheduled to kickoff the Relay at 6 p.m. on Friday, June 22, with closing ceremonies planned for 2 a.m. Saturday, June 23. The Relay will once again be held at Leeman Field in Pennington Gap, Va.

With the support of the entire community and 700 registered members on 26 teams participating in the 2006 Relay for Life, more than $115,000 was raised to aid in the fight against cancer. Teams sponsor various fund raising activities prior to the Relay, then take turns at the Relay itself walking or running around the track so that at least one person from each team is on the track during the entire event.

Teams set up campsites and other makeshift accommodations at the Relay site, forming a community celebration of life. Some teams serve a variety of foods, or offer fun-filled games for a donation, as on-site fund raisers. Entertainment is provided by local groups and individuals. A big hit with the crowd attending last year was the addition of the “Mr. Relay” contest to the entertainment lineup and plans are underway to feature the competition again this year. Another popular attraction was the “chance to be a star” with karaoke and this, too, will be returning. The atmosphere of Relay for Life is one that can be enjoyed by everyone with the bonus of contributing to a great cause.

The purpose of Relay for Life, which is the American Cancer Society's National Signature Activity, is to seek funds to help fight cancer through research and treatment development and to bring about greater awareness of the disease, with education playing a key role in the prevention, early detection and survival of cancer. According to the ACS website www.cancer.org, Relay for Life began more than 20 years ago through the efforts of one man who decided to support the mission of the ACS. Today Relays are held nationwide with more than 3 million Americans participating. It was projected that by the end of 2006 Relays would be held in more than 25 countries worldwide.

We welcome back all teams who were involved in Lee County's Relay for Life in 2006 and encourage the formation and participation of new teams for this year's event. Teams can be made up of friends and family or co-workers; they can represent businesses, civic organizations, schools or places of worship.

In its inaugural year Lee County won the 2005 “Rookie Relay of the Year Award” from the American Cancer Society South Atlantic Division which includes 7 states and Washington, DC. In 2006 Lee County again demonstrated the character of this community by bringing home several awards from the ACS including the “Spirit of Relay Award” in Region 9 of the South Atlantic Division which incorporates all the counties from Lee to Rockingham County, Va., a “Per Capita Award” at $4.68 per capita, as well as the “Top Percentage Increase in Income Award” from both Region 9 and the South Atlantic Division - at a 214 percent increase over 2005.

For more information about the Lee County Relay for Life call chairperson Donna Kolb at 346-3551 or co-chair Diane Roberts at 346-1732. To register a new team, contact Rene Speck at 346-7763 or Lisa at 546-4642. There will be a Team Captain meeting at the Jonesville United Methodist Church on Thursday, March 1, at 5:30 p.m. Teams may be registered at that time as well.

To learn more about the American Cancer Society and Relay for Life, visit www.cancer.org or call 1-800-ACS-2345.