PORTLAND – Registration and preparations are underway for the 26th annual Maine Children’s Cancer Program Walk happening on Saturday, Sept. 15, in Lewiston/Auburn and in Rumford, as well as four other sites in southern and central Maine. All walks start at 9 a.m., with registration beginning at 8 a.m.

All walkers who raise $50 or more will receive a free T-shirt. Locally, walks are happening in Auburn and in Rumford, as well as in Augusta, Brunswick/Topsham, Portland and Waterville. The goal is to raise between $125,000 and $150,000 to help children with cancer and their families.

Tim Bryant, co-chair of the Statewide Walk Committee and a board member at MCCP, said, “This is such a special event not only because it is the biggest, single-day fundraiser for MCCP but because it integrates families who have had children treated through the program with people who just want to help…. Since MCCP does not turn any child away, it is vital to have the funds to offset the tremendous expense associated with fighting children’s cancer.”

Preregistration begins at 8 a.m. and the walks start at 9. Walkers are asked to collect contributions from family, friends, neighbors and/or their companies. Many walkers at this year’s event are walking as part of a team from a number of area companies, organizations and families.

Walkers can walk as a team or individually. For more information and for a registration form, call Leo Ouellette in Auburn at 784-6971 or Sandee Welch in Rumford at 364-2548, or for any other walk at 662-6274. Registration may also be completed online at www.mmc.org/mccpwalk. For those unable to participate in the walk itself, online contributions are accepted via credit card through the same website.