Relay for Life looking for teams

Relay For Life of Madison is a fun-filled overnight event designed to celebrate survivorship and raise money for research and programs of the ACS

The 2012 Relay for Life of Madison may be a couple months away, but organizers are already rounding up teams for the event.

Each team is asked to have at least one member walking the track during the 12-hour relay.

Additionally, each team is asked to raise at least $1,000 as a goal, and each individual is asked to raise at least $100. Organizers said if that goal cannot be reached, individuals and teams can still participate.

“Even if people don’t want to form teams, we encourage everyone to come out and see the booths and hang out,” said Madison’s events coordinator Gayle Milam.

The event is free and open to the public, so anyone can come during the night of and participate in some way.

“Relay For Life of Madison is a fun-filled overnight event designed to celebrate survivorship and raise money for research and programs of the ACS,” said Community Representative Beth Haynes. “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.”

Last year, 52 teams participated, raising a total of $98,680 for the American Cancer Society. Those funds helped 420 Madison County residents who received almost 2,800 services, according to Haynes..

Haynes said the ACS hopes to exceed that amount this year.

“Our goal is to have 60 teams and raise $120,121,” she said.

“Cancer is something that affects everybody. Everybody has been touched by it in some way,” Haynes said. “We want everybody to join the fight.”

This year’s theme is Say Bon Voyage to Cancer.

“It’s really our goal to say goodbye to cancer and not let to not let it be in our vocabulary anymore,” Milam said. “We all have to remember to celebrate, fight and remember.”

Current statistics show that 213 participants and 31 teams are already signed for this year’s event. More than $11,800 has already been raised.

To register a team, sign up at Relayforlife.org/Madison. Relay for Life will be held Friday, May 4 at Madison City School Stadium, located at 211 Celtic Drive.

Upcoming Relay for Life of Madison events.

April 17

Team captain meeting at the Madison Public Library

May 1 –

Bank Night from 5:15 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Bancorp South Bank on Hwy 72

Fitness Boot Camp at Grace United Methodist Church Sundays at 3 p.m.6 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday, contact Kalyn at polat001@bama.ua.edu