Sign up for Relay For Life

The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Des Plaines/Park Ridge gives everyone in the community a chance to help the organization save lives and create a world with less cancer and more birthdays. Register your team by visiting www.relayforlife.org/DesPlainesIL or calling (847) 317-0209.

This year, the Relay For Life of Des Plaines/Park Ridge changes location and time. Relay will take place from noon until midnight Saturday, June 27, at Maine East High School, 2601 Dempster St., in Park Ridge.

"Relay For Life events are changing formats from the standard overnight, 12-hour event," said Bill Wickey of Schaumburg, volunteer Relay For Life event colead.

"For us, continuing a 12-hour event, while changing to a daytime format means that we can provide a more family friendly, community involved event, while still honoring the incredible fight that our survivors and loved ones battled against cancer. We can continue to work to finish the fight."

While held in previous years at Maine West High School in Des Plaines, due to scheduling conflicts the event will be held at its sister school, Maine East High School.

"We are thankful to Vice-Principal Dino DeLegge and the Maine East High School community for accepting our event this year," said Colleen Zabel of Edison Park, volunteer Relay For Life colead. "Their generosity and support have been incredible.

Relay For Life is a community event held as individuals and teams camp out at an athletic track, park or fairground, with the goal of keeping at least one team member on the track or pathway at all times.

Teams do most of their fundraising prior to the event, but some teams also hold creative fundraisers at their camp sites at the event. Relay For Life brings together friends, families, businesses, hospitals, schools and faith-based groups all aimed at furthering the efforts of the American Cancer Society to save lives by helping people stay well, get well, finding cures and fighting back.

"Relay For Life is the largest fundraiser in the world, and this year we celebrate Relay being 30 years strong," said Caitlin Cuthbertson of Park Ridge, volunteer Relay For Life event colead.

"Dr. Gprdy Klatt circled a track for 24 hours back in 1985. As a colorectal surgeon, he wanted to find a way to raise funds for his local American Cancer Society. Relay gives us all an opportunity to celebrate the survivors, remember those lost and fight back against cancer.

"Many participants are our family, friends, and neighbors who have faced cancer themselves. Their involvement gives us hope that, together, we can finish the fight against cancer. Each new team that registers brings us that much closer."

For information, contact the American Cancer Society at (800) 227-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.