The American Cancer Society is seeking teams for the Relay For Life of Sequoyah County, Beverly Smith, event co-chair, said this week.
"Relay For Life teams are encouraged to sign up early and get a jump-start on preparing for the Relay to be held on Friday and Saturday, June 27 and 28," Smith said.
Relay for Life is the American Cancer Society's national signature fundraising activity.
Smith said, "Teams of eight to 15 members gather with tents and sleeping bags to participate in the largest fundraising walk in the nation. Relay For Life unites friends, families, businesses, hospitals, schools and churches...people from all walks of life. Teams seek sponsorship prior to the relay, all with the goal of supporting a cure for cancer.
"By organizing early, teams have more time to raise money for the American Cancer Society," Smith said.
"Relay For Life is a fun-filled, overnight event that mobilizes communities throughout the country to celebrate survivors, remember loved ones and raise money for the fight against cancer.
"The event raises awareness about the progress against cancer while also raising funds to fight the disease," Smith said. "Individuals who are willing to give their time and energy to this exciting community event, as a volunteer or as a participant, have made a commitment to fight back against cancer."
Team captains have a critical role in the relay. Team captains meet ever two weeks until the relay to keep enthusiasm high and help get teams on the right track.
Team captain duties include:
-Recruiting eight to 15 team members at work, church, community clubs, civic organizations, family, friends or neighbors.
-Attending relay team captain meetings.
-Securing team commitment fees of $10 per team member from sponsors or team members. The fee helps cover the cost of printing registration materials and other event overhead costs.
-Filling out paperwork completely.
-Setting a fundraising goal for the team and for individual members.
-Encouraging and planning team fundraising events.
-Hosting team meetings, recognize team successes and promoting team spirit.
-Encouraging team members to turn in money by deadline, and account for all team money.
-Encouraging team members to sell luminaria and to write names or decorate the bags for the event.
-Attending bank night to turn in the team's money.
-Developing a team theme for the team's campsite at the relay.
For more information on the Relay For Life or to register a team, contact Relay For Life of Sequoyah County co-chairs Smith at (918) 774-4902 or Terry McCarty at (918) 774-6235.
To learn more about the American Cancer Society's research, prevention, advocacy, patient services, and early detection programs, call 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.
