The Edwardsburg Relay For Life is starting its planning for the July event.

According to event director Angie Carrick, they are looking for teams and volunteers to help make the event a success.

“Our goal is to have someone on the track from each team at all times,” Carrick said. “The theme is ‘Cancer Never Sleeps,’ so we need to have someone on the track all the time.”

The first of four planning event meetings is scheduled for April 29 at the Edwardsburg Fire Department. Committee meetings will be held at 6 p.m. with the planning meeting scheduled to follow at 7 p.m.

Additional meetings will be held May 20, June 24 and July 8. In each instance, the committees will meet at 6 p.m. and then the regular meeting will be set for 7 p.m.

“People can come to the committee meeting and find out just what is going on,” Carrick said.

This year marks the fifth Relay For Life in Edwardsburg.

Among the events already scheduled are the, Luminaria and Survivor ceremonies, which offer time to remember those who have been lost to cancer and to celebrate those who have won the battle; and the Fight Back ceremony, which gives participants a chance to make a personal commitment to help fight cancer throughout the year.

Cancer continues to be the No. 1 health concern for Americans. Nearly half of those deaths are preventable and events like Relay For Life help to educate and make people aware of how they can reduce their risk of getting cancer.

“One in every 100 Americans participates in this fundraising event that has become a global phenomenon,” Carrick said. “Everything we do at Relay For Life contributes to reducing cancer morality and incidences, weather it’s raising dollars that support free patient programs and services, research or volunteering to commit to advocacy and education effort.

“We’re all a part of the fight and we need the community’s help.”

The Edwardsburg Relay For Life will be held July 13-14 at Edwardsburg Middle School. The event will begin at 10 a.m. July 13 and end at 10 a.m. July 14.

Carrick added that you do not need to be a walker to participate. Volunteers are needed to help with the event and everyone is welcome to participate.