The event, which begins at 6 p.m., will take place at the Lake Family Resource Center, 896 Lakeport Blvd.

The Community Kick-Off will be a chance to share with residents the importance of Relay For Life in saving lives from cancer.

Relay For Life is the signature event of the American Cancer Society. It is a fun-filled, overnight event that mobilizes communities throughout the country to celebrate survivors (anyone who has ever been diagnosed with cancer), remember loved ones and raise money for the fight against cancer.

Relay For Life Lake County is scheduled to take place at Clear Lake High School in Lakeport from 10 a.m. May 17 to 10 a.m. May 18, 2008.

“Relay For Life is as much an awareness raiser about the progress against cancer as it is a fundraiser,” said Alison Urmson, Relay Manager for the American Cancer Society. “Individuals who are willing to give their time and energy to this exciting event, as a volunteer or participant, have made a commitment to fight back against this disease and let the community know that you can beat cancer.”

Teams of eight to 15 members gather with tents and sleeping bags to participate in the largest fundraising event in the nation. Relay For Life brings together friends, families, businesses, hospitals, schools and houses of worship. Teams seek sponsorship prior to the Relay, all with the goal of eliminating cancer.

Volunteers are needed to organize and recruit teams, seek community support, coordinate logistics, find refreshments and prizes, plan entertainment, and lend their support in any way.

For more information on the Relay For Life Community Kick-off, or if you would like to volunteer on the Relay For Life committee, please contact Alison Urmson at 707-545-6720, Extension 3.

For more information on cancer, call the American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, or visit www.cancer.org.

The American Cancer Society is the nationwide community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives and diminishing suffering from cancer through research, education, advocacy and service.