With Relay For Life of Douglas County still a couple months away, teams are encouraged to join the event by signing up now.

The American Cancer Society Relay For Life movement unites people in communities across the globe to celebrate the lives of those who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease.

At the Relay For Life of Douglas County event, teams of people camp out at Free State High School and take turns walking around the track. Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the event. Because cancer never sleeps, the Friday-Saturday Douglas County event occurs overnight, beginning at 7 p.m. June 13 and ending at 7 a.m. June 14.

Each year, more than 4 million people in 5,200 U.S. communities, along with 19 other countries, gather to raise much-needed funds and awareness to help finish the fight against cancer. Thanks to Relay For Life participants, we are creating a world with more birthdays, a world where cancer never steals another year of anyone’s life.

The Lawrence community is invited to participate by forming a team for the Relay, by purchasing luminaria for the dusk lighting of hundreds of luminaria around the track, by corporate sponsorships, or by attending the event. Visit relayforlife.org to get involved.

Betty Parks is on the planning committee for Relay For Life of Douglas County. For more info, visit relayforlife.org or email the local team co-captains at douglascountyrfl@gmail.com.