Lincoln County is revving up for this year’s American Cancer Society Relay For Life.

     The Relay For Life has goals of raising money for a cure, spreading awareness, celebrating survivors and remembering those lost.

     The Lincoln County Relay For Life Committee will hold this year’s event on May 4 at the Exchange Club Park. They met Wednesday at the Exchange Club to discuss the event.

     Committee member Cindie Chambers said she doesn’t remember how long the event has been going on in Lincoln County, but it’s been more than 20 years.

     The relay will start at 7 p.m. on May 4 and last until sunrise, keeping with the American Cancer Society’s slogan of “Cancer Doesn’t Sleep” and during the event the participants won’t either, at least for one day. The survivor dinner will precede the event, beginning at 5:30.

     “The relay starts with opening ceremonies and will last through the night until the next morning,” Chambers said.

     The Relay For Life works by teams competing to make the most laps around the course, with pledges being donated for each lap completed.

     Chambers said this year’s goal is $85,000.

     “We were able to raise $83,000 last year, so we wanted to raise the bar a little for this year,” she said. “Fundraising took a dip during the recession, but we’re on our way back as people remain cautious with their spending.”

     Mayor Les Bumgarner issued a proclamation making April purple ribbon month in support of the American Cancer Society and encouraging all citizens and businesses to do so. Purple ribbons can be purchased from any Relay team members for $5.

     In this year’s event, there will be games, prizes, food and drink, live music, rides at the Exchange Club and karaoke.

     “The rides will be open from 7 until 10 for $15 and you can ride as much as you want in that time frame,” Chambers said.

     More than 1,000 people attend the event every year and there are hundreds of participants. Chambers described the relay as something for everyone.

     “It’s a family event, like a homecoming of sorts,” she said. “Sometimes you see people there who you have not seen in a year.”

     The Relay For Life puts an emphasis on honoring and remembering those who have been affected by and succumbed to cancer. One way this is done is by placing luminaries (bags with candles) around the course at sunset and having victims’ loved ones walk a lap holding a candle out of respect.

     The first lap is always walked by survivors of the disease, which is often an emotional moment for those in attendance.

     “I cry every year during the luminary ceremony and when survivors take the first lap, because you wonder if any won’t be here next year,” Chambers said.

     Last year’s top fundraiser was Trustmark Bank, which raised $16,000. Other top fundraisers were King’s Daughters Medical Center, Prancing Panthers (Brookhaven Schools) and Opal’s Bunch, which is made up of a family of cancer survivors.

     Chambers said people should come out and show their support, because just about everyone knows someone who had or has cancer.

     “It’s all about helping celebrate another birthday because we want our loved ones to have another birthday,” said Chambers.