Relay for Life campaign begins Monday

Area volunteers are gearing up for the 2010 American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Bedford County campaign, beginning with a birthday kickoff Monday, Oct. 26 from 5:30 to 6:30. The party will be held at the Blue Ribbon Circle on the Celebration Grounds.

The public is welcome to attend to hear about the new ideas and innovations planned for this year. It will also be an opportunity for participants to register their teams and sign up to serve as Relay volunteers.

This year's theme is "Happy Birthday and Best Wishes for a Cure." Ronnie Wells, a survivor, will be celebrating birthdays, your birthdays, and a world with a whole lot more birthdays.

The American Cancer Society is the official sponsor of birthdays.

Refreshments and prizes will also be offered to give the kickoff a festive atmosphere.

The 2010 Relay For Life of Bedford County will be held at Celebration Grounds on June 4, 2010.

The annual Relay For Life of Bedford County draws hundreds of participants who form more than 30 teams to walk the track all night to raise money for the American Cancer Society. The funds raised allow the American Cancer Society to continue supporting cancer research, its state and national legislative advocacy, and the Society's many educational and community service programs.

This year an estimated 100 cancer survivors will walk the ceremonial opening lap to show the community that cancer can be defeated.

Relay volunteers are currently being recruited to help serve on the planning committee. Subcommittees include: team recruitment, logistics, corporate sponsorship recruitment, survivors lap and ceremony, luminaria sales and ceremony, food and entertainment and day of event volunteers.

For more information about the Relay For Life of Bedford County kickoff rally, to register a team, or to serve as a volunteer, contact Judi Burton at 607-6035 or Sonja Worthington at 205-1569. For cancer information 24 hours a day, call (800) 227-2345 or go to www.cancer.org.