Three simple words: celebrate, remember, fight back. That's what the Alaska American Cancer society is inviting the entire community to do: celebrate cancer survivors (anyone who has ever been diagnosed with cancer) and caregivers and remember those heroes who have lost their cancer battle to fight back against Alaska's number one killer. This year, the Relay For Life of Anchorage's goal is to engage 100 fundraising teams, from the record 75 teams who participated last year.

According to Beth Rhoden, the Anchorage Relay has had a solid foundation, but this year the planning committee is striving to build on its past number of teams so that more people can become involved in this important community event. "There are so many adults and youngsters here in the Anchorage area who have been touched by cancer and would jump at the chance to become involved, but are just waiting to be asked," said Beth Rhoden. "Now, we're asking."

The American Cancer Society Relay For Life, which will take place May 21st on the Delaney Park Strip, is an overnight community celebration where individuals and teams camp out, barbecue, dance, and take turns walking around a track relay-style to raise funds to fight cancer. As night falls, participants will light hundreds of candles around the track in a moving ceremony to honor cancer survivors as well as friends and family members lost to the disease. The American Cancer Society Relay For Life represents hope that those lost to cancer will never Advertisement Quantcast be forgotten, that those who face cancer will be supported, and that one day cancer will be eliminated. Cancer has been Alaska's number one killer since 1993. Last year, cancer killed 830 Alaskans. Anchorage is one of 13 Alaskan communities and 5,500 communities nationwide hosting a Relay For Life this year, in the hope of changing these devastating odds.

To join Relay For Life of Anchorage, call 907-273-2066, or visit www.anchoragerelay.org. You can also follow The Relay For Life of Anchorage on Facebook: www.facebook.com/anchorage.relay & Twitter: www.twitter.com/anchoragerelay.