When cancer strikes, it effects many people’s lives and there is always something that can be done to support the fight.

The Richmond County branch of The American Cancer Society is having Relay for Life to raise awareness for the disease at Richmond Senior High on May 14 at the stadium track. The event begins at 6 p.m. and runs until 2 a.m. the following day.

At a relay, groups of people camp out and take turns walking or running around the track. Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the event. Because cancer never sleeps, Relays are overnight events lasting up to 24 hours.

The entry fee for the event is $5, once you pay the entrance fee you will receive $5 in relay bucks which you can use at various vendors.

“The proceeds from our jewelry sale, which was Monday and Tuesday, also benefit Relay,” said Kimberly Harrington, marketing and public relations director for Sandhills Regional Medical Center.

Harrington is also team captain for Sandhills Regional Medical Center’s Relay for Life team.

“They hold various fund-raisers at the hospital and on the night of Relay, they will sell various food items,” Harrington said.

The American Cancer Society Relay For Life is an event that will give everyone in communities across the nation and the globe a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost and fight back against the disease.

“When we have functions we allow the caregivers to come as well as the survivors,” said Amy Wheeler, co-chair for Relay for Life Richmond County. “It’s open to everyone in Richmond County.”

Meetings are held on the fourth Thursday in the month, any woman suffering from any form of cancer is invited, as well as a caregivers or anyone that has suffered a loss from cancer.

“The group was started by Susan Sharpe. She started it in Moore County, and I was her co-chair. She died in 1999,” Wheeler said. Wheeler has been the co-chair for Relay for Life for the past 10 years.

“Last year we raised $12,100,” said Linda Bayless co-chair for this relay. “We are also trying to do new programs throughout Richmond County as well.”

“There is entertainment scheduled all night. There will be school groups providing live music and a dove release,” Bayless said. The speaker for the event will be cancer survivor George Whitfield.

So far, there are 46 teams that are registered for the relay. You don’t have to be a survivor to participate. For more information contact The American Cancer Society at 1-(800)-227-2345 or visit their Web site, www.Cancer.org.

Hollie Nivens can be reached at (910) 997-3111 ext. 19 or by e-mailing at hnivens@yourdailyjournal.com.