Relay for Life events beginning soon

Cancer will -- no doubt -- touch every American's life. It is the second most common cause of death in the United States, exceeded only by heart disease. This year the American Cancer Society predicts 565,650 Americans will die of cancer, more than 1,500 people a day.

Putnam County residents will be given the opportunity to participate in the fight against cancer during the annual Relay For Life,+ April 25-26, 2009 at Blackstock Stadium on the campus of DePauw University.

This is the 25th year for Relay. The theme will include "Relay Through the Years."

Local restaurants are encouraged to become active in this event. During the month of January, any item on their menus can be renamed in honor of Relay. When it is ordered, $1 from the sale is donated to the cause.

The Blue Door Café has offered to help by hosting "Rock for Relay" events, possibly in March. Live music, poetry reading and rhetoric would be offered the entire month. Donations would be collected at the door.

Committee members are also working to organize a Taste of Greencastle and a community 5K and 10K run and walk with registration fees going towards Relay. Both events are tentatively set for March.

For the month of April, plans include painting store windows and placing banners around town.

Numerous events -- pay to wear jeans to work and money goes to Relay, food specials at favorite restaurants and pizza places and a kid's carnival just to name a few ideas -- are being planned for the community-owned and volunteer-driven activity.

The American Cancer Society Relay for Life represents the hope that those lost to cancer will never be forgotten, those who face cancer will be supported and cancer will one day be eliminated.