Members of the Edwardsburg community are gearing up for hitting the track at the annual Relay For Life July 23 and 24 — by hitting the pavement around town.

“We’ve just been out in the community knocking on doors to get teams and participants put together,” said Chad King, event chairman.

Team participation is up this year, King said, with a total of 34 teams who have come together to participate in the annual relay.

“That’s actually 10 more than last year,” he said.

The theme of this year’s campaign, for relay events taking place across the country, is that of a world with “less cancer and more birthdays,” according to the American Cancer Association.

Edwardsburg Relay For Life teams and participants are focused on a goal of raising $60,000 to go toward cancer research.

“As the event has grown, we’ve actually had people come to us to get involved,” King said.

He speaks humbly about the group’s goal. Though Edwardsburg’s Relay For Life surpassed its goal last year quite significantly, raising $58,000 in donations with an original goal of $45,000, King is well aware of the impact the economy is still having on individuals, families and businesses.

“We really hope we do (reach the goal),” King said. “Money coming in so far has been really good. I really think with the great community of Edwardsburg that we will hit the goal and surpass it.”

Two auctions are also scheduled — one at noon and one at 6 p.m. Saturday, July 23.

For more information, visit www.relayforlife.org.