Residents gather to hear updates on the 2012 Barnwell County Relay for Life. The event is scheduled for April 27 at Veterans Memorial Park.

More than 20 residents attended the Barnwell County Relay for Life Kickoff Jan. 24. The kickoff was held at the Barnwell County Library for residents to receive information about Relay for Life.
Kristin Huber, Barnwell Community Manager for the American Cancer Society, presented information about Relay for Life and the opportunities residents have to get involved this year.
“Relay is where teams and participants gather to celebrate survivors, remember lost loved ones and fight back against cancer,” she said in an e-mail.
Because cancer never sleeps, relays are overnight events up to 24 hours in length.
“Relayers do not have to walk all night, but each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the event,” Huber said.
Teams are comprised of family or friends, co-workers or church members. Residents may form a team, participate as a survivor, become a corporate sponsor or join the planning committee, she said.
“Our goal this year is to have every participant raise $212 in 2012,” Huber said. Funds raised will help support ACS programs, such as Road to Recovery, Look Good Feel Better, Hope Lodge and others.
Additional Relay for Life meetings will be held Feb. 23, March 15 and April 19 with the committee meetings at 6 p.m. and the team captains meetings at 7 p.m. The main event, the Relay itself, will take place from 7 p.m. April 27 to 7 a.m. April 28 at the Veterans Memorial Park.
For more information about the Barnwell Relay for Life or to register a team, visit www.relayforlife.org/barnwell or find them on Facebook by searching for “Relay for Life of Barnwell County.” The American Cancer Society can be reached anytime at 1-800-227-2345.