Do you know someone who has died of cancer? Do you know a cancer survivor, or someone going through cancer treatments now?

If you answered yes to any of those questions, we could sure use your help in the fight against cancer.

The Nobles County Relay for Life hosted its kick-off event Tuesday night in Worthington. Team packets were distributed, ideas were discussed and the date was announced for this year’s Relay for Life event at the Nobles County Fairgrounds in Worthington.

Several new changes are planned for this year’s Relay – changes we hope will encourage more people to come out and help the hundreds of survivors and team members Celebrate, Remember and Fight Back.

For starters, the Survivor’s Supper will not be the same night as the Relay this year. A special banquet is planned in their honor on June 15, at the American Reformed Church in Worthington. The evening event will recognize all who won the fight against cancer. Survivor T-shirts will also be distributed at this event.

Hosting the Survivor’s Supper a few days prior to the Nobles County Relay for Life on June 18 is hoped to give organizers an opportunity to be more involved in the actual events on the night of the Relay.

In the past, Relay volunteers have been so busy cleaning up and putting things away after the meal is served that they miss important Relay events like the butterfly release, the survivor recognition and the speakers.

This year, the Relay’s opening ceremony will begin at 7 p.m. on June 18, with closing ceremony planned for 7 a.m. June 19.

In 2009, Nobles County’s 21 Relay for Life teams raised nearly $93,200 for research and advocacy for the American Cancer Society. It was the highest fundraising year for Nobles County, and we’d sure like to surpass it this year.

We are still looking for more teams to get involved. Families, church groups, youth groups, small businesses, large businesses, friends … the team opportunities are endless.

If you would like more information on forming a team, contact Nobles County Relay for Life Chairperson Kim Lambert at 372-5305.

This year’s Relay for Life theme is “A World with more Birthdays.”

As the American Cancer Society’s slogan states, “We save lives and create more birthdays by helping you stay well, helping you get well, by finding cures and by fighting back.”