With 32 teams this year full of participants ready to walk and help raise money, Relay for Life looks like it will be a huge success.

Relay for Life is scheduled for Saturday, May 18th at Wayne Valley High School. The theme this year is Board Games.

Last year, the Wayne event was ranked 13th in the whole country in Relay for Life. “Our team made it to the top 20 board last year and is halfway to our goal of $100,000 this year,” Hills senior and event lead, Steph Casamassina said.

The goal of the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life movement is to help communities that have been afflicted by cancer. The members of Relay realize how important it is to remember those we’ve lost, and those that are still battling cancer.

“The whole experience is very freeing and is a good moment to share with your friends.You really don’t realize how many people are affected by cancer,” says Sarah Barch, co-captain of team Capture a Cure.

“Relay for Life is an 18-hour journey throughout the light of day and dark of night that mimics the conditions a cancer patient undergoes through treatment,” explained Stephanie Casamassina.

The history behind relay started in May 1985, when Dr. Gordon “Gordy” Klatt walked and ran for 24 hours around a track in Tacoma, Washington. His efforts to raise money to help the American Cancer Society left an everlasting mark on cancer organizations everywhere.

Through funds donated, time given, or awareness raised, our communities are teaming up to make a difference.