Representatives from area businesses, schools and industries kicked off the annual American Cancer Society Relay for Life during a meeting Tuesday night at the YMCA.

The goal for the 2004 Relay is $95,000 and the theme is Operation Cancer Free.

&uot;The kick-off was very successful,&uot; Relay Chairwoman Joan Reynolds said.

&uot;We had some team captains there that will be have new teams.

I talked with one team captain and they are still adding names for their team.

They expect to reach 20 people for their team.

People can enjoy a fun filled event with friends and raise money for research to find a cure for cancer all at the same time.&uot;

Earlier in the night, Reynolds welcomed everyone and thanked them for once more taking part in this annual fight against cancer and the drive to find a cure.

Relay For Life is the American Cancer Society’s signature activity. This event offers Butler Countians a chance to participate in the fight against cancer. Teams of people will camp out at the Butler County fairgrounds on May 14th beginning at 6 p.m. and will walk for the next 12 hours.

&uot;The success of the Relay is for large numbers of people to contribute small amounts and feel a part of the end results.

It takes everyone

to find the cure,&uot; Reynolds said.

Each team will have a member on the walking track at all times until 6 a.m. on Saturday, May 15.

Organizers were quick to point out that this is not an athletic event, which means everyone can participate in some form.

Teams can be comprised of business owners and their employees, civic clubs, families, friends, hospitals, churches, schools and various service organizations.

Team members share a common purpose – to support the American Cancer Society’s mission.

Team members are encouraged to raise $100 each for their team.

Last year, Wal-Mart took the honor as the top grossing team, while a Greenville High School senior took top individual honors by raising over $1,300, Reynolds said.

Area businesses and organizations can expect a call this year from Team Recruiters Ann Steiner Gregory and Greta Whiddon.

To get involved, call Gregory at 383-1739 or Whiddon at 382-6336.

To be included as a sponsor for this year’s events, businesses can contact Juanita Poole at 382-3773.

Laurie Martin will take control again this year of the night’s activities.

She said they would once again have a womanless beauty pageant, karaoke, a tug-of-war, cook off and many other programs.

She also said there would be several activities for children including a chance for kids to be up an old car with a sledgehammer.

To learn more about the activities or to offer your assistance, call Martin at 227-8580.

Finally, to get more information about all of the Relay activities, contact Reynolds at 382-8048.

The next meeting for Relay for Life will be March 15 at 5:30 p.m. at the YMCA.

Also, call Vivian Killingsworth at 382-2483 if you would like to attend the Survivors’ luncheon at 11 a.m. on May 7 at the First Baptist Church’s Family Life Center.