By Brenda Sexton, The Courier-Herald

Organizers for Enumclaw's American Cancer Society Relay For Life kickoff celebration say the upcoming event provides an opportunity to get excited and see what the 18-hour, fund-raising walk is all about.

The kick-off celebration is scheduled for 6 p.m. Feb. 11 at the Enumclaw Public Library. It will include guest speakers, refreshments and a luminary ceremony.

Enumclaw Mayor John Wise and City Clerk Marcia Hopkins are sharing the chairman position for this year's event, which is scheduled for June 18 and 19 in downtown Enumclaw.

Relay For Life is a community event designed to raise money for research and programs, draw awareness to the deadly disease, educate people on how to prevent and detect cancer when possible and celebrate the lives of those who have won the battle against one of America's top killers.

Teams of 12 to 18 walkers from businesses, churches, schools, organizations, families and neighborhoods join with cancer survivors (the honored guests) and their families for the event. It works like this: one member of each team should be on the track throughout the event, whether walking, running, wheel chairing, or sitting in a lawn chair on the track. Each team participant is asked to raise flat donations (not pledges per lap).

Each American Cancer Society Relay For Life kicks off with cancer survivors walking the first lap. Teams then gather to walk a lap as a group, then individuals start their rotations for the rest of the event. After dark, luminary bags are lit in honor of those surviving/battling cancer and in memory of those who have lost their lives to the disease. The luminary candles stay lit throughout the night, motivating the walkers through their paces. Entertainment, carnival activities and kids activities, colorful decorated tents, prizes, games and fun for all ages round out the Relay For Life experience. There is also information about the American Cancer Society's educational programs, research, patient services and advocacy efforts.

This year, a downtown Enumclaw location has been selected. The downtown location will take up the library block, with camping and entertainment in Goodwill Park; the walking route will follow Railroad Street, Washington Avenue, First Street and Griffin Avenue.

In previous years, the event was at J.J. Smith Elementary and Thunder Mountain Middle School.

Currently the group has lined up Enumclaw Community Hospital and Franciscan Medical Center as corporate sponsors. But more teams and sponsorship are needed to meet this year's goal.

Last year's relay drew 15 teams, more than 250 participates and raised close to $40,000.

For information or to RSVP for the kickoff celebration contact Cathy Rigg at the Enumclaw Chamber of Commerce 360-825-7666. For more information about participating in the Relay For Life contact Hopkins at 360-825-3591.

Brenda Sexton can be reached at bsexton@courierherald.com