The 2012 Cass County Relay for Life sponsored by the American Cancer Society is set to begin 7 p.m. Friday, March 23, at Atlanta Rabbit Stadium.

This year marks the 10th anniversary for the Cass County Relay, said Kristy Vaughan, event chairman. The 2012 Relay for Life theme is “I Relay…”

“Relay for Life is a family-oriented event where participants can walk or run a track relay style for 12 hours, from sundown to sunup, which symbolizes the struggle each cancer patient goes through from the darkness of diagnosis through the long night of treatment and the eventual dawning of hope as the patient overcomes obstacles to become a survivor as the day breaks.” Vaughan explained. “This event is a time to celebrate victories over cancer, remember those who have lost the battle, and fight back with those who continue to struggle each day.”

“We all have special reasons and special people in our lives that we ‘Relay’ for,” Vaughan said. “We all bring a unique and meaningful story to ‘Relay’ each year. This theme gives our teams and participants an opportunity to honor and celebrate their unique stories,”

Businesses, groups, organizations, families and school groups interested in having a team for the 2012 Relay may contact Vaughan at 903-733-5701.

The Atlanta Woman’s Club will again serve as the Survivor Chair for the event. All survivors and their caregivers will be honored at the Survivor Dinner prior to the relay on March 23. Catfish dinners with all the trimmings will be served in the AHS Cafeteria beginning at 5:30 p.m.

Miller, who serves as president of the Atlanta Woman’s Club, said she was pleased with the turnout last year as fellow members of the AWC hosted the Survivor Dinner.

“It is our privilege to honor all survivors and their caregivers in this way,” Miller said of the dinner. “Our club really got behind this project and I am so proud to work with each of these women in our club.

The club is seeking sponsors to underwrite some of the costs of the Relay and Survivor Dinner.

“Sponsors make this event possible. Donations help us to channel our fundraising efforts to ACS in the fight to find a cure,” Miller explained.

Those wishing to make a donation or honorarium may contact Becky Garrett, Sponsor Chair, at 903-756-5573.

Survivors may register online at www.relayforlife.org or by contacting Miller at 903-278-8259 or Martha Watkins at 903-796-3271. The Relay will kick off at 7 p.m. with the ceremonial survivor lap. All survivors are recognized as they circle the track for the first lap of the night.