Farmingdale State University will be the host of this year's Relay for Life, an overnight celebration of hope, progress and answers held in honor and celebration of millions of Americans who have survived cancer, to remember those who lost their lives to cancer and to raise funds to fight the disease.

Relay for Life has been organized for over a decade by the American Cancer Society to honor and remember those who faced cancer in a number of ways. The relay is an overnight event, which became a tradition more than 15 years ago when Dr. Gordon Klatt, a volunteer for the American Cancer Society, walked 24 hours to raise funds for the society. Although participants do not relay for 24 hours, they do walk through the night as a symbol of the spirit and resolve of cancer patients who fight this disease both day and night. Those who cannot make a commitment to stay overnight are invited to come for a few laps or just the Luminary Ceremony.

The Relay for Life is made up of teams of five or more individuals. Team members can be friends, co-workers, groups from religious organizations, clubs and families. Students are invited to participate as well, but youth teams require an adult chaperone throughout the event. The teams each designate a captain to gather information and act as a liaison to the American Cancer Society. Each team will attempt to keep one member walking the track at all times throughout the night, so more team members will make it easier on the whole team. Teams raise funds to help battle cancer by soliciting donations and selling items for the Luminary Ceremony, such as candles, etc. For those who cannot put a team together, one will be coordinated by the Society.

During the event, teams are expected to pitch tents and erect a canopy or some other kind of shelter. They should also decorate their campsites, bring sleeping bags, food, games and anything else that may be necessary to get through the night. Each Relay for Life event has its own traditions and special activities, but each event holds a survivor lap to commence the celebration and a Luminary Ceremony at nightfall. To keep the energy going, since team members will be taking turns walking throughout the night, there will be entertainment and music provided to keep spirits up and energy flowing.

To acknowledge cancer survivors' determination and courage, the American Cancer Society invites them to a special dinner in their honor which takes place prior to opening ceremonies. The overnight celebration is commenced by having survivors walk the first lap around the track and the second lap is dedicated to survivors and those whom they designate were most supportive and helpful during their struggle. At nightfall there is a Luminary Ceremony to honor and remember them.

The Luminary Ceremony is one of the highlights of the Relay for Life, where hundreds of bags with the names of those who have battled cancer are placed around the track. At nightfall, the candles in the bags are lighted, creating a glowing tribute to those lost and hope for those who are currently battling the disease, as well as those who have fought it in the past.

The Relay for Life takes place regardless of weather conditions, just as the fight for cancer goes on. According to the American Cancer Society, those who battle cancer endure many challenges and obstacles on a daily basis and relay participants' roles are to accept this challenge for one night. In the case of severe weather conditions, arrangements will be made to temporarily move indoors.

This year marks the first that Farmingdale State will be host to this event. There are 13 relays across Long Island and approximately 3,300 relay events across the country. The relay at Farmingdale is scheduled for June 13 and 14. A Relay Community Kick Off is scheduled for Tuesday, March 11 at the Little Theatre in Roosevelt Hall on the campus of Farmingdale State. For more information, residents may call the Hauppauge office of the American Cancer Society at 631-436-7070.