NORWAY — The American Cancer Relay For Life of Oxford Hills will hold a kickoff rally Jan. 10 at the Town Office on Danforth Street. The program begins at 6 p.m.

“We are hoping to raise awareness about the event so we can have more community participation,” Heather Bossie, one of the organizers, said.

The relay will be held May 19.

Cancer survivors, caregivers, families, schools, companies and faith-based and civic organizations are expected to participate in the rally to launch their fundraising efforts for the year. The program is nine years old, Bossie said.

“In the past, we have raised $70,000. Last year we raised just over $30,000 with 160 participants,” she said.

The rally will feature speakers from the community who have benefited from the funds raised and will honor cancer survivors. Participants may also register a team and select a campsite for the overnight event at Gouin Field on Alpine Street, Bossie said.

According to information from Relay For Life of Oxford Hills, the nationwide Relay For Life movement began in 1985, when Dr. Gordy Klatt, a colorectal surgeon, took the first step of his 24-hour walk around a track in Tacoma, Wash. He raised $27,000 to support the American Cancer Society.

In 2011, more than 3.5 million people in 5,146 communities in the U.S., along with communities in 21 other countries, will gather to take part in the program.

For more information about the Relay For Life of Oxford Hills contact Melissa Hilligoss at 207-890-9868, melhilligos@gmail.com or Heather Bossie at 207-890-1738, herseymt@yahoo.com. More information may also be found online at relayforlife.org.

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