The 33rd annual Anthracite Relay for Life to unite the community in the fight against cancer will begin at 5 p.m. Saturday at the Tamaqua Area High School Stadium, 598 Penn St., Tamaqua.

Organized in conjunction with the American Cancer Society and local volunteers, the signature fundraising walk brings together cancer survivors, caregivers, teams and neighbors from across Carbon, Schuylkill and Luzerne counties to celebrate survivorship, honor those fighting and remember loved ones lost to the disease.

Wanda Nerino, walk and luminaria chairwoman, is predicting high attendance.

“I am expecting about 300 or more to attend,” she said.

Gates open at 5 p.m. for team registration and the opening of activities, including the sale of luminaria and T-shirts, a basket raffle, 50/50 and food.

There will be speakers from St. Luke’s University Health Network, music by Hatter and singing by Angela Nardini and Skyy Boyer. Teams and sponsors will be recognized for their hard work and caring hearts.

The evening serves as a vital fundraiser for cancer research, local advocacy and services, and patient care initiatives managed by the American Cancer Society.

“Our fundraising goal is always to surpass the year before, which was $25,000 last year,” Nerino said.

The cornerstone of the event is the luminaria ceremony. Attendees can purchase and dedicate luminaria bags to line the track as a tribute to lives touched by cancer.

Participants will walk the stadium track in a unified show of strength, symbolizing a shared hope and determination to end cancer.

All are invited to join a team, walk the track or attend the ceremony to lend their support. There is no admission fee to participate.

Nerino hopes to see old and new faces.

“If anyone is unsure about attending, I would tell them about the camaraderie that joins us all and our moving luminaria service for care givers, survivors and those remembered,” she said.

Any business or individual interested in being a sponsor is asked to call the American Cancer Society office for information on registering.

To participate, form a team, purchase a luminaria or donate, contact the American Cancer Society Volunteer Office at 570-805-4555.