It’s that time of year. The American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life of Niles-Buchanan will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Niles High School track.

Relay for Life is an event that gives communities across the world a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember lost loved ones and fight against the disease. Teams camp out and take turns walking or running around a track or on a path. Each team must have at least one member on the track at all times throughout the event. Relays are overnight events, up to 24 hours long.

The Niles-Buchanan Relay for Life raised $118,000 last year.

This year, the organization hopes to raise $130,000 between the 38 participating teams as well as other monetary donations. Teams raise most of their donations prior to the event, but still hold fundraisers at their campsites. Every dollar spent at the event goes toward the American Cancer Society.

“Each year we try to out-do what we did the previous year,” said Diane Lemanski, publicity chair for Relay for Life. “We always hope to raise more money, reach out to more people and touch more lives.”

The opening, or Fight Back Ceremony, is scheduled to begin at noon. However, registration for the survivor luncheon is from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. The Fight Back Ceremony will feature a community leader who will inspire participants with his or her own commitment and challenge them to take a personal pledge of action in fighting cancer.

The opening ceremony will be followed by the survivor ceremony, in which attending survivors will take the first lap around the track and be escorted to the luncheon.

“Relay is a unique opportunity for our community to come together to celebrate people who have battled cancer, remember those we’ve lost and fight back against the disease,” said Kellie Welch, event chair.

“Many of the participants are cancer survivors, which serves as a reminder that Niles is not immune to this disease and that by participating in Relay, we are joining with the American Cancer Society’s efforts to create a world with less cancer and more birthdays,” said Dawn Lamson, chair of the CPS-3 Study and mother of a cancer survivor.

Funds raised by Relay for Life will go to the American Cancer Society to impact the lives of those touched by cancer within the community through programs such as Road to Recovery, which provides free transportation to and from treatment for patients; Reach to Recovery, a program that pairs breast cancer patients with trained survivors to offer support and advice; clinical trials matching service; and access to life-saving information at any hour, day or night.

Purchase luminaria

The community will honor cancer survivors and remember those who lost to the disease in the luminaria ceremony at 10 p.m.  Participants will circle the track, which will be surrounded by glowing luminaria that bear the names of people who have battled cancer. Luminaria bags may be purchased for $5 by calling (269) 684-8581.

Cancer prevention study

Residents have an opportunity this year to participate in a historic study that has the potential to change the face of cancer for future generations.

The Niles-Buchanan event will host the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Prevention Study-3. The study will help researchers better understand the lifestyle, environmental and genetic factors that cause or prevent cancer. Enrollment for participation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. For more information visit www.cancer.org/cps3.

Family activities

The Niles-Buchanan Relay for Life committee has always hosted a variety of games and activities throughout the duration of the event to keep participants and visitors active and involved. This year’s list of activities includes a hula hoop contest, egg relay, children’s pinata, Mad Chef skillet toss, hot wings eating contest  and a frozen T-shirt contest. There will also be a children’s bounce house, a corn hole tournament and a classic car chow during the afternoon. This year there will also be a large sumo wrestling arena and an obstacle course. For $10, attendees receive unlimited use of specific inflatable activities and a free meal from Hope Community Church.

To make a donation, join a team, create a team or for more information, visit www.relayforlife.org/berriencountynilesmi.