Relay For Life is a fun-filled overnight event designed to celebrate survivorship and raise money for research and programs of the American Cancer Society. During the event, teams of people gather at schools, fairgrounds, or parks and take turns walking or running laps. Each team tries to keep at least one team member on the track at all times.

Relay For Life represents the hope that those lost to cancer will never be forgotten, that those who face cancer will be supported, and that one day cancer will be eliminated.

Macon County has participated in Relay for Life for seven years, beginning the all night walk in 1997. Survivors, their families, and the community took turns walking the track at Key Park for twelve hours in mid-May. Sandra Owens was the first chairperson for the event in Macon County and events raised $44,700.

Participation in the event has grown so much this year it has been moved to the fairgrounds. A relay track will be constructed to circle the Martha Wilburn Pavilion and the Sally Wells Building, with camp sites set up along the perimeter of the track.

A cancer survivors' victory lap is scheduled to kick off the night at 6 p.m. on May 14 followed by a cancer caregivers lap at 7 p.m. Other activities include the cancer survivors' reception at 7 p.m., entertainment at 9 p.m., luminaria ceremony at 10 p.m., womanless beauty pageant at 11 p.m., and team activities running until closing ceremonies on Saturday, May 15.

Eighteen teams will be participating with fund raising activities already in progress. NCTC sponsored a beauty pageant, Cumberland Bank had the cutest baby picture contest, Citizen's Bank is holding a bake sale this Saturday at the main office and a yard sale on Thursday, April 19 also at the main branch.

The Palace in Red Boiling Springs has the Easter Bunny lined up for this Friday, April 9, from 1 p.m.-3:30 p.m. and the public is invited to come by and have their picture made with him for free. They also have a car wash and yard sale planned to raise funds for their team.

Schools are having student vs. teachers sporting events, silent auctions, and a "Pie in the Face" contest where students pay to vote for the teacher they feel deserves a pie in the face the most.

Comprehensive Rehab is sponsoring a softball tournament on Saturday, April 17, and the Lafayette Children's Clinic has created goody baskets that will be silently auctioned off on April 21. Macon Bank and Trust will sell concessions at the Relay for Life festivities, along with Macon County General Hospital who has a booth with a polynesian theme transporting those visiting it to a luau in the tropics. These are just a few of the creative fund raisers that will be taking place during the next few weeks in preparation for the overnight event.

Teams also compete for awards, including Most Money Raised, Most Spirited, and Best Theme.

Everyone can participate by purchasing a purple ribbon and displaying it to show your support during "Paint the Town Purple" which will begin on April 30. Ribbons are $5 each and are available from any local florist. All proceeds from the sale of the ribbons go to relay for life.

Ninety percent of the American population is touched in some way by this disease. Help support the American Cancer Society and enjoy the fun events planned for this year's Relay for Life at the Macon County Fairgrounds, rain or shine!