LOCAL CANCER SOCIETY PLANS RELAY FOR LIFE

A community campout is planned in August to raise money and awareness for cancer treatment.

The American Cancer Society's Relay for Life will be held Aug. 6 and 7 at Houck Stadium in Cape Girardeau.

Participants are encouraged to pitch tents and spend the night at the track. Food and activities for families are planned throughout the night, including face painting and line dancing lessons, said Rachel Beam with the American Cancer Society.

A highlight of the overnight event is the luminary service. Individuals may purchase a luminary in honor of a cancer survivor or in memory of a cancer victim. The track will be lined with lights, and the luminaries will be lit at 10 p.m., marking the beginning of a ceremony.

The first lap of the walk at 6 p.m. is completed by cancer survivors. Other members of the teams join in and at least one member of each team walks throughout the night.

Teams of individuals will be walking from 6 p.m. Aug. 6 through the night until 10 a.m. Aug. 7. Each team consists of 10 to 15 people. Each team member is asked to raise $100 for cancer research, education and patient services.

The fund-raising goal is $35,000.

To form a team or purchase a luminary, contact Beam or event chairman Debbie Wideman at (573) 334-9197.