Raising money for cancer research is no game, but that doesn’tmean Col. Mustard can’t spell “quixotic” on Boardwalk.

Although serious about raising funds for cancer research,Lincoln County American Cancer Society Relay for Life teams will beusing games such as Clue, Scrabble and Monopoly as themes in thisyear’s May 4 event at Exchange Club Park. The relay committee heldits first meeting for team captains Tuesday at the courthouse.

“This is so exciting to see so many new faces,” said Terry LynnWatkins, committee chairwoman.

The 2006 relay hosted 22 teams of competitive fundraisers. Morethan 25 teams have registered for this year’s event, Watkinssaid.

United Country-Becker Realty is breaking new ground with itsteam entry, she said.

“You’re our pioneers. We’re going to have to challenge our otherrealtors (to field a team),” Watkins said in welcoming the team’scaptain.

The idea to use games as a theme for the relay came after adiscussion among committee members and team captains, who rejectedthe national theme of “Indiana Jones: Quest for Knowledge.”

“It’s a very difficult theme to stage booths around,” Watkinssaid.

One team captain suggested simply shortening the theme to “Questfor Knowledge,” which would open a wide realm of possibilitieswhile keeping close to the national emphasis.

The game theme, however, promised more fun for participants andwould help keep them awake through the early morning hours of theovernight event, participants said.

Kathy Prospere, a representative of the charitable cancerorganization, said the overnight stay symbolizes the recoveryprocess. Life seems dark when a person first learns of thediagnosis, but hope dawns as they begin to overcome thedisease.

“Cancer doesn’t sleep so we won’t either,” she said.

Rhonda Deer, a team captain for Deaconess Home Care and a relayveteran, urged other captains to encourage their teams to stay forthe entire event.

“I know it’s hard,” she said, “but staying all night makes itmean much more to you.”

It’s not too late to form a team for the event, Watkins said.People interested in registering a team for the event can callWatkins at (601) 835-3435 or Delois McClelland at (601)833-6688.