Douglas - Get ready to walk the Strip as "Vegas Comes to Douglas" at the American Cancer Society's 13th annual Relay for Life. This unique 24-hour event will be held on Saturday, October 6 - 7, beginning at 10:00 A.M. at the Douglas Copper King Baseball Stadium.

Relay for Life is a celebration of Life as the opening lap is dedicated to the cancer survivors. This reminds us why we have united - to conquer cancer and to celebrate survivorship.

Relay is more than a walk around a track - it is the American Cancer Society's signature event. Teams from businesses, clubs, families, friends, hospitals, churches, schools and service organizations take turns in the Relay. One team member walks, strolls or jogs around the track at all times. This is not a competitive event, but one that both the young and the old can enjoy.

The American Cancer Society's Relay For Life is an overnight team event with several objectives: playing and having fun with good friends and family; raising money for cancer research, education, advocacy and patient services; honoring cancer survivors; remembering those who have lost their fight with cancer; building awareness about cancer prevention and pulling together a community toward a common goal - making a difference in the fight against cancer.

The power of Relay is that it allows a community to grieve for those lost to cancer and to celebrate the lives of those who have survived. For the newly diagnosed, Relay offers a chance to meet someone who has survived the same type of cancer. For the cancer patient in treatment, Relay provides an opportunity to share with others. For the long-term survivor, Relay brings a community's recognition of the struggle and closure to a trying time in life.

This year's event is sponsored by the following: Southeast Arizona Medical Center, Wal-Mart, Sierra Vista Cancer Center, Midnite Images DJ, Border Mart, Cochise College, DJ Tech-FX, Las Dos Comadres, Ortega Stores, Inc., Arizona Public Service, Douglas Police Department Explorers, Douglas Visitor's Center, Douglas Unified School District #27, Chuck Hoyack and Roberto E. Munoz Families, Food City, Gloria Garcia Mariscal, MD, Dr. Joanna Michelich and Dr. Karen Nicodemus, Maddux and Sons, The Grand Café and Yogi's Café.

The American Cancer Society is the nationwide community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem, by preventing cancer, saving lives and diminishing suffering from cancer through research, education, advocacy and service.

For more information, please call (520) 227-7125.