Relay For Life plans in full swing

This year will mark the silver anniversary of Relay for Life, the signature event for the American Cancer Society.

The relay was the brainchild of Dr. Gordy Klatt, a Tacoma, Wash.-based colorectal surgeon, who wanted to enhance the income of his local American Cancer Society office and show support for all his patients who battled cancer.

Klatt's vision of a 24-hour team relay event that would raise more money to fight cancer is today's Relay For Life. Relay is more than a fundraiser; it is designed to honor those battling the disease, remember lives lost to cancer and reflect on all lives touched by cancer.

To mark 25 years of hope, all previous participants in the Putnam County event are asked to once again join Relay in April.

Residents are asked to help Relay For Life be a success by attending any of the planned events.

The community is invited to Rock for Relay at the Blue Door Café. The café will host open mic night every Wednesday and special music by guest artists every Thursday beginning Jan. 28 and 29. There will not be a charge for admission, but donations to Relay will be accepted.

Putnam County residents and business owners interested in forming a team are encouraged to attend a kick-off breakfast at 7 a.m. Feb. 17 at Putnam Inn. A free breakfast provided by the inn will be served.

Information on Relay and team packets will be provided at this event. To register a team, visit www.relayforlife.org/putnamcountyin.

Anyone planning to attend the kick-off breakfast should e-mail a committee member at realyforlife@depauw.edu or Billie Kaufman of the ACS at billie.kaufman@cancer.org.