On May 16 to 17, Hellertown's Dimmick Park will be hosting a Relay For Life event to raise money for the American Cancer Society. It will take place for 24 hours from 5 p.m. on Friday to 5 p.m. Saturday as the participating teams compete to raise the most money to donate to the American Cancer Society. Participants will take shifts to walk throughout the night to symbolize the continual search for the cure for cancer.

This year's theme for Relay for Life is "Around the World," so each team represents a different country. The countries will hand out themed prizes for each lap completed throughout the night. On Saturday morning, runners can participate in Saucon Valley's first Fight to the Finish 5K around town. The entrance fee is $25 for this event, but finishers will receive a free T- shirt. The lighting of the luminaries will occur at 9:30 p.m. Friday evening in dedication to survivors and victims of cancer. Other events include a food tasting contest and activities planned by the teams.

Saucon Valley HS students plan to participate in this event through the National Honor Society. A NHS committee has been in the process of creating an "Around the World" game for children to play Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 3 p.m. This themed game will mirror the entire relay event as kids spin a wheel and travel around to stations of different countries. Student representatives will provide prizes related to each nation.

The high school's NHS team, Honoring the Cure, is just one of about 17 other teams that have begun to raise money to help save lives. One fundraiser already held April 23 was the Power of Purple Pasta Party hosted at the Meadows to get a head start raising money prior to the event. Many Saucon Valley students and members of the community attended to enjoy a pasta dinner, and the high school Jazz Ensemble performed for entertainment.

While you may not be a participating member of a team for Saucon Valley's Relay for Life, there is much that one individual can do to join in the fight against cancer. Money raised from selling food or activities at the event will all be added to the donations earned for the American Cancer Society. So by simply buying a soft pretzel from Saucon's NHS team, you will help their goal to "Honor the Cure."

Most people have been affected by cancer in some way, so by supporting this Relay for Life event, you too can help make a difference to those affected. Every year that more participants support Saucon Valley's Relay for Life, the closer the American Cancer Society gets to completing its mission to live in a world with less cancer and more birthdays.