Relay for Life 2012 Campaign Kick Offs Next Week

Limber up! It’s time to assemble your teams and get ready for Union City’s Relay for Life.

The , a 24-hour run/walk for cancer awareness, will kick off next Monday with a meeting at the New Haven Teachers Association office, located at 32980 Alvarado Niles Rd., Ste 812.

The event, a national fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, will take place in on Aug. 25 and 26 at . Though the actual event may be held in August, participating teams begin fundraising and hosting community events months in advance.

Relay for Life aims to “celebrate those who have, or are, beating cancer; remember those we have lost to this nasty disease; and fight back so we don't lose anyone else,” according to event organizers.

During Relay for Life, individuals from teams of up to 15 people will take turns walking or running around Logan’s track for 24 hours. A member of each team must be on the track at all times. The event also features the lighting of luminaria bags, along with live entertainment, games and other activities hosted by teams and sponsors.

2012 is Union City’s seventh year hosting Relay for Life.

Last year’s Relay for Life had 350 participants and to fight cancer, according to event chair Jennifer Dudley. Dudley

Rebecca Jackson, who lost her mother to cancer in 2006, participated for the first time in last year’s relay.

After last year’s event, Jackson wrote on Union City Patch that she wore her mother’s sneakers and walked in her shoes, camping out and participating from 10 a.m. Saturday to 3:30 a.m. Sunday. She said she was brought to tears during the a memory lap for participants who lost their loved ones

“This event was a great way to show our support and a great time for healing,” she said. “I know my mom was looking down on me from heaven with a big smile on her face.”

To learn more about Relay for Life and learn how to get involved, attend at 6 p.m. at 32980 Alvarado Niles Rd., Ste 812. A light dinner will be provided.

Monthly committee meetings will be held every second Monday of the month at the same time and location.

For more information about Relay for Life, contact event chair Jennifer Dudley at jenrelaychair@gmail.com.