American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Berlin Kick-Off Set for February 6

The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Berlin 2012 officially gets underway when volunteers, cancer survivors, caregivers, friends and family members gather at the Hawthorne Inn, 2421 Berlin Turnpike in Berlin on Monday, Feb. 6 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

“We’ll explain what goes on at Relay, how to form teams and how people can get involved in the event planned for May 19-20 at the Berlin Lions Club fairgrounds," ACS partner Lynn Kipphutt said. "And we’ll have fun, too. There will be hot appetizers to eat and fun for all.”

The 2011 Relay For Life of Berlin event netted $110,000, surpassing its fundraising goal of $92,000.                  

George Millerd Relay Event co-chair said “This will be Berlin’s fifth year to host a Relay For Life event. For the last three events, our community has showed its support by surpassing our goals each year. We’re determined to keep the momentum going from last year to better our 2011 goal of $92,000.

“Relay For Life is a true community event. What makes it work are the hundreds of people who participate and the dedicated behind-the-scenes volunteers who pull it all together.”

Volunteers are needed to head several committees for the Relay For Life of Berlin event. “We’re also eager to sign up team captains and teams now so that we can get their input in planning the event," said Kipphut. "In fact, all team captains who register their teams online by Feb. 1 will be eligible for a chance to win a prize at the Kick-Off.”

Relay For Life is a family-oriented, 24-hour walking event where participants enjoy the camaraderie of a team and raise funds to help eliminate cancer, a disease that touches so many lives. It mobilizes communities throughout the country to celebrate survivors (anyone who has ever been diagnosed with cancer), remember loved ones, commit to fight back through healthy lifestyle changes, and raise money for the fight against cancer.

Former and current cancer patients, those who have lost a loved one to cancer, families, businesses, civic organizations, and the public are invited to take part.

Teams of 15+ members gather with tents and sleeping bags to participate in the largest grassroots fundraising event in the nation. Families, friends, companies, churches, organizations, hospitals, and schools form teams, seek sponsors and collect donations.

For more about Relay For Life of Berlin, February6 kick-off event or forming a team, please contact Lynn Kipphut at 203-379-4874 or lynn.kipphut@cancer.org or go to http://www.relayforlife.org/berlinct . To learn more about volunteering to be a part of Relay For Life, contact Jen Chant (jjchant93@aol.com)  or George Millerd (millegh@comcast.net) this year’s Event Co-chairs.

About the American Cancer Society (ACS)

The American Cancer Society is dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by saving lives, diminishing suffering and preventing cancer through research, education, advocacy and service. Headquartered in Atlanta, the Society was founded in 1913 and has 13 regional divisions and local offices in 3,400 communities, involving millions of volunteers across the United States. For more information, call 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.