Local Relay For Life Kickoff Planned

OCEAN CITY - Although this year's Relay for Life for North Worcester County event at Frontier Town may still be months away, organizers are already beginning to think how they can top last year's outstanding effort and surpass this year's goal.

That effort begins in earnest on Thursday, Jan. 17 when a Relay For Life North Worcester County's Kick Off Party Sock Hop is held on Jan. 17 at the Stephen Decatur Middle School cafeteria.

Last year's local Relay For Life exceeded everyone's expectations. There were 51 teams spending the night at the host site Frontier Town Campground on Route 611. More than 110 survivors and their caregivers attended the survivor reception hosted by Atlantic General Hospital. Approximately $176,000 was raised to help support the American Cancer Society's local programs and to help fund the battle against cancer.

In October, a contingent from the Relay For Life North Worcester County attended Relay University for regions 10, 11 and 12, which represents Delaware, Maryland, the Eastern Shore of Virginia and Washington D.C. At this event, the group received two special awards. One was for being an All-American Relay for meeting the criteria of the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life and then going above and beyond the criteria in their relay. The local contingent was one of two relays in regions 10, 11 and 12 to receive this award.

If you would like to attend this year's Relay For Life Kick Off Party or would like information on how to form a team or participate as a cancer survivor or caregiver or make a donation or become a sponsor, contact Dawn Hodge at 443-497-1198 or dawnhodge@comcast.net or Lisa Shiells at 410-208-2711 or visit www.events.cancer.org/rflnorthworcester.