It is not everyday that ordinary people get a chance to be superheroes.

But that is exactly what participants are being offered at this year’s Niles-Buchanan Relay for Life.

The “Super Hero” themed event will take place Saturday and Sunday at the Niles High School football field.

All money raised will go toward supporting the American Cancer Society’s quest for finding a cure for cancer, a disease that claims more than 600,000 U.S. lives each year.

“Everyone ahs been affected by cancer whether they have had it personally or know a family member, friend or neighbor who has,” said Debbie Floor, promotions chair for the event. “By coming out you are supporting your community. It can be fun and you can help fight cancer.”

Organizers set a fundraising goal of $86,000. The event brought in $76,000 last year.

At relay, teams raise money by pledging to have at least one member walk around a track for a 24-hour period.

Each Relay For Life features a survivors lap, when survivors circle the track together; a luminaria ceremony, when candles are lit inside bags filled with sand; and a fight back ceremony, when individuals make a personal commitment to save lives by taking up the fight against cancer.

For the first time, Clay Township Fire Department will be bringing its pink fire truck to the event to bring awareness of all types of cancer. “Pink Heels” will be parked at the north end of the football field from noon to 3 p.m.

Floor said survivors will be encouraged sign the truck, which already contains thousands of signatures of other cancer survivors.

Floor said the Niles Fire Department would use its ladder truck to take an aerial picture of all the relay teams surrounding the pink truck.

In addition to the regular relay events, other smaller events will be held throughout the day and night. They include several different types of eating contests, a lip sync contest, scavenger hunts, prayer time and a midnight movie, to name a few.

More than 200 people and over 30 teams were registered online as of Wednesday to participate in the event.

Anyone is encouraged to sign up, donate or attend this weekend’s relay.

For more information, visit relayforlife.org and enter Niles, Michigan into the event search box.