In 1957, Cindie Chambers’ grandfather was diagnosed with lungcancer. The family was told the situation was hopeless.

In 1992, her father was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Thefamily was told the situation was hopeless.

In 1993, her sister was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. Thistime there was hope – 17 years of hope and counting.

“Because of the American Cancer Society and the fundraising wedo, we are now celebrating another year of her survival,” saidChambers, a licensed practical nurse at King’s Daughters MedicalCenter. “That’s why I relay.”

Some families have overcome cancer and some families have beenstricken down, and each of the 20 Lincoln County teamsparticipating in this year’s Relay for Life have a loved one whohas fought that good fight. The teams are working now to preparefor the relay on Friday, April 30, fundraising by all meansavailable to beat last year’s $81,000 total for the American CancerSociety’s research and advocacy programs.

“We probably wouldn’t have the new research and tools availabletoday if we weren’t here,” Chambers said at a team captains’meeting Thursday.

The 2010 Relay for Life will be held at Brookhaven Exchange ClubPark and, as is custom, last throughout the night and into Saturdaymorning. Registration of cancer survivors and their reception willbegin at 6 p.m., and the event’s opening ceremony kicks off at 6:45p.m. The commemorative survivors’ lap starts at 7:15 p.m., and thenthe relay is on, followed by the reverent luminaria service at 10p.m.

Admission to the relay is free. The Brookhaven Exchange Clubwill sell passes for its rides and attractions, which will operatefrom 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., and a variety of food and refreshments willbe sold on site. Several acts are being booked for entertainment atthe event.

A survivors’ dinner will be held prior to the relay, butsurvivors must register to attend. Registration may be completed bycalling Carolyn Logan at 601-833-6287 or by e-mailing her atpinksisters@bellsouth.net. Reservations must be made by Monday,April 19.

Likewise, anyone planning to fundraise and bring a team to therelay needs to register by calling either Chambers or MargaretGlass at KDMC, at 601-835-9403 or 601-823-5310.

Kathy Prospere, the local community representative with ACS,said the Lincoln County relay is the second-biggest event in herfive-county district, ranking only behind Adams County’s Miss-Louevent, which draws an average of 5,000 people per year.

There probably won’t be 5,000 at Exchange Club Park, but therewill be plenty enough to help ACS accomplish its motto – celebrate,remember, fight back.

“It’s a celebration of life. We give people more birthdays,”Prospere said. “It’s a wholesome event to attend, and for one nightthe community comes together.”

Clubs and workplaces also come together behind the Relay forLife.

Cathy Martin is captaining the team at the MississippiAdolescent Center, which is operating this year under the theme of”Gunsmoke – Roping for a Cure,” and aiming for the $2,000 mark byselling fish plates on April 30.

She’s had some family members who have survived cancer and somewho have not. She’ll be representing them at the relay, but she’llalso be representing some of the young male clients with learningdisabilities who are treated at MAC.

“We’ve had clients who are survivors – we’ve had two in the pastand we have one with us now who are survivors,” Martin said. “Wewanted to do more.”

The students involved in Phi Theta Kappa at Copiah-LincolnCommunity College are lined up to take on the relay this year. Teamcaptain Ariel Hunsucker, a 19-year-old from Brookhaven, said about30 students are on the team, which has a motto of “AmericanBandstand – Dancing for a Cure,” and is looking to raise $3,000with their fundraisers.

Hunsucker’s sister survived skin cancer. It’s close to theheart, she said.

“I love meeting the people and hearing their stories,” she said.”It encourages me to give hope to others, to let them know they cansurvive.”