Special to Dorchester Banner/Ann Whaples Volunteers involved in the Dorchester County Relay For Life are shown at Breckenridge Adventures, the site of the Family Fun Day slated for Oct. 11. Standing in back, from left: Jennifer Todd, Pat Banks, Gail Skinner, JoAnn Hutton, Karol Redline, Vickie Bramble, Cecilia King and Elijah King. In front, from left: Pam Gray and Allison Marshall holding John Luke Marshall. The theme for the 2015 Relay For Life is “Cheer for a Cure — Let’s Beat Cancer.”[/caption]

CAMBRIDGE — Dorchester County Relay For Life is kicking off its annual campaign with a Family Fun Day at Breckenridge Adventures on Oct. 11.

The theme for this Relay For Life is “Cheer for a Cure — Let’s Beat Cancer.” The annual cancer fundraiser will be held on May 15, 2015 in the parking lot at Cambridge-South Dorchester High School.

Family Fun Day will run from 1-5 p.m. at Breckenridge Adventures, located near Linkwood, just off US Rt. 50 eastbound. There will be no admission for the event, which will honor cancer survivors with a short lap around the track at the venue.

Also included at no cost will be corn hole games, bouncy rides and horse shoes, plus a children’s playground. In addition, popcorn, cookies, shaved ice and cold water will be available free of charge. The concession stand will be open for more food at reasonable prices and Breckenridge’s famous Corn Maze will open at 2:30 p.m., for a fee.

Relay For Life, a program of the American Cancer Society, is an event to remember those lost to cancer, to honor people who have fought cancer in the past, and to support those whose fight continues.

This annual event began in May 1985, when Dr. Gordy Klatt walked and ran for 24 hours around a track in Tacoma, Wash., ultimately raising $27,000 to help the American Cancer Society fight the nation’s biggest health concern – cancer. A year later, 340 supporters joined the overnight event. Since those first steps, the Relay For Life movement has grown into a worldwide phenomenon, raising nearly $5 billion to fight cancer.

One of the features of Relay is the Survivors Lap, when cancer survivors take the first lap around the track, celebrating their victory over cancer while cheered on by the other participants. Events also recognize and celebrate caregivers, who give time, love, and support to their friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers facing cancer.

The Luminaria Ceremony takes place after dark, as candles are lit inside of personalized bags placed around the Relay track as glowing tributes to those who’ve been affected by cancer.

The Dorchester County Relay For Life has a goal of 30 teams for the 2015 event. While including teams that have participated every year, new teams and volunteers are actively being sought. For more information, contact the event chair, Gail Skinner, or the American Cancer Society office in Salisbury.