Walkers from Tamaqua and surrounding communities will go around the clock in the battle against cancer during the American Cancer Society Relay For Life.

This celebration of life brings numerous groups and individuals concerned about cancer together for a unified effort to fight back.Teams of participants will gather at the Hometown Farmer's Market for an overnight relay against cancer from 2 p.m. on Friday, June 25 until 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 26.The public is welcome to participate in any of the activities, or to enjoy the entertainment at the relay.Relay For Life is a unique fundraising event that allows participants from all walks of life, including patients, medical support staff, corporations, civic organizations, churches and community volunteers, to join together to fight cancer.Relay For Life is a reminder that progress has been made in the fight against cancer and that everyone who participates is making a difference.The Relay For Life's Survivors Lap (a survivor is anyone who has ever been diagnosed with cancer) is an emotional time and celebrates the cancer survivors in the community. An atmosphere of camaraderie is created as team members join together to fight back against this disease.Highlighting the evening is the Luminaria Ceremony held after dark to honor cancer survivors and to remember those who have lost the battle against cancer.Hundreds of luminaries inscribed with messages of hope and remembrance line the track and are left burning throughout the night to remind participants of the incredible importance of their contributions.The funds raised through Relay For Life enable the society to continue its investment in the fight against cancer through educational programs, research and services to patients.The generosity of corporate sponsors like Boyer's Food Markets, Silberline Manufacturing Co, St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, The Jim Thorpe National Bank, Transwestern Polymers, Inc, Valley Athletic, Wal-Mart, In Home Referral, Inc, and ETA Benefits allows the money raised by participants to go directly to the American Cancer Society's lifesaving programs.For information about how to become involved in Relay For Life, contact the American Cancer Society at 888-227-5445 ext. 3112 or visit its website at

www.relayforlife.org/patamaquaarea.The following is the schedule of activities and entertainment for this weekend's Tamaqua Area Relay.Friday, June 2511:30 a.m. - Site Open for Team Setup2 p.m. - Opening Comments/Sponsor Recognition by Eric Lech, Chair; First Lap - Committee and All Participants; Walking Begins2:30 p.m. - Marie's Lunch Opens; Luminaria Sales Open; Relay Lap Counting Station Opens; Register for Games/Activities2-7:30 p.m. - DJ Kwality Sounds4 p.m. - Activity - Tyler Resch, Activities Co-Chair4:45 p.m. - Line up with Teams5 p.m. - Parade of Teams/Opening Ceremony; Sponsor Recognition; Star Spangled Banner by Christin Kehler5-7 p.m. - Survivor Registration6-7 p.m. - Relay Activity, Alec Mertz, Activities Co-Chair7 p.m. - Survivor Ceremony: Heather Eltringham, Survivor Chair; Survivor and Caregivers Lap7:30 p.m. - Donna Parsons performs8-9 p.m. - Steve Kropp performs8 p.m. - Fight Back Challenge, Linda Heigele, Mission Chair9 p.m. - Sounds of Heaven9 p.m. - Luminaria Ceremony, Marsha Resch, Luminaria Chair; Jamie Tatusko, Speaker10 p.m. to 1 p.m.- Original Sounds DJ, Brad & Kathy Murphy10 p.m. to 5 a.m. - Wii, Guitar Hero, Rock Band, Tyler Resch, Activities Co-Chair11 p.m. - Miss Relay Contest BeginsSaturday, June 2612 a.m. - Pajama Parade1-3 a.m. - Brandon Fritz DJ3 a.m. - Board Games (Monopoly, Scrabble, Trivial Pursuit, etc.)7 a.m. - Breakfast begins9 a.m. - Survivor Breakfast10 a.m. - Doughnut Eating Contest10 a.m. to 2 p.m. - Ron Yurchack DJ12:15 p.m. - Campsite Contest winners announced1:30 p.m. - Closing ceremonies