Fayetteville Technical Community College (FTCC) will host the Cumberland County American Cancer Society Relay for Life. FTCC’s President Dr. J. Larry Keen is the honorary chairperson for the Relay for Life that will be held at the Tony Rand Student Center, beginning at 2 p.m. on Friday, April 30, and concluding at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 1. The purpose of the event is to increase awareness of cancer and raise money for cancer research.

The Relay for Life began in 1985 when Dr. Gordy Klatt, a colorectal surgeon in Tacoma, Wash., ran and walked around a track for 24 hours to raise money for the American Cancer Society. Since then, Relay for Life has grown from a single man’s passion to fight cancer into the world’s largest movement to end the disease. Each year, more than 3.5 million people in 5,000 communities in the United States, along with additional communities in 19 other countries, gather to take part in this global phenomenon and raise much-needed funds and awareness to save lives from cancer. Thanks to Relay for Life participants, the American Cancer Society is creating a world with more birthdays and a world where cancer can’t claim another year of anyone’s life.

FTCC nursing instructor Sharon Ellis is leading the college’s Relay for Life efforts. FTCC became involved with Cumberland County’s Relay for Life over 10 years ago when a faculty member and student from the Associate Degree Nursing program formed a Relay for Life team. They named the team “Vital Force” based on their belief that FTCC students are a vital force in supporting quality healthcare within the community. For additional information Sharon Ellis can be contacted at ellissh@faytechcc,edu.

The American Cancer Society Relay for Life is a life-changing event that gives everyone in communities across the globe a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease. At the Relay for Life, teams of people will camp out at FTCC and take turns walking, running or participating in overnight events for 24 hours.

The theme for this year’s event is “Stayin Alive in the ‘70s and Streakin’ Toward a Cure in the Future.” Be sure to Google “The Seventies” and learn about the movies, music and dress of the time, and decorate your campsite based upon the ‘70s. Awards will be given for best event-theme campsite.

The Relay for Life is a 24-hour overnight camp-out, fund-raiser, family oriented, smoke-free, alcohol-free and no pets time of celebration and rememberances. So, bring your tents, lounge chairs, sunscreen and tennis shoes, and participant all night.

In addition to the walking events, there will be a Celebrate the Survivor’s Lap, a Luminary Ceremony to celebrate the lives of survivors and remember those who lost their lives because of cancer and a Fight Back Ceremony, where participants make a personal commitment to save lives by taking up the fight against cancer.

The only requirement to participate in Relay for Life is the $10 registration/ commitment fee (per person) that is due upon registration. After that, any donations that are raised through individual, team, or online fundraising are graciously accepted. It is recommended that each participant set a personal goal to raise $100. Even if you do not raise $100, all are welcome to participate.

For more information about the Cumberland County American Cancer Society Relay for Life, please visit www.relayforlife.org/cumberland.

Fayetteville Technical Community College was established in 1961 and serves over 34,000 students annually by providing150 affordable occupational, technical, general education, college transfer, and continuing education programs to meet students’ needs and desires as well as the community.