Emily Peterson, Develop-ment Manager/Southeast Region for the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life event said recently the group will have their 2024 RFL event Saturday, May 18, starting at 5 p.m., at the Dover YMCA, located at 411 Cherryville Rd., Shelby, NC.

Peterson said of the much-loved, successful event, "Relay For Life of Cleveland County has been around for over 25 years!" adding, "...it has not always been held at the same location!" She further noted, "We are very excited to be having the event at the Dover Foundation YMCA and they're a great partner!"

While there is no "standard crowd size" for the event, Peterson said many of the participants are either cancer survivors and/or family members or supporters of and for cancer survivors. And, as the organizers have noted in the past, anyone can participate in the RFL as either a group or individual, so long as they register.

Said Ms. Peterson, "I like to compare RFL to a block party or tailgate! Usually we have about 300 people at the event. The crowd consists of survivors, caregivers and those that hope for a future free from cancer! We're all together in the fight! ANYONE and EVERYONE is welcome to join us!"

As Peterson reiterated, the Saturday, May 18 event starts at 5 p.m., and lasts until 10 p.m., and is held, as it has been in the past couple of years, at the Dover YMCA, in Shelby. Also, and as per the ACS' web site, food will be available for purchase throughout the entire event. "Additionally, individual teams will have food for purchase and we will have food trucks on site," noted Ms. Peterson, who added, "Upon arrival (at the Dover YMCA), follow the direction signs and drive slowly to a parking spot."

Peterson continued, "Registration is still open and we welcome people that want to sign up day of event! Again, you can register as an individual or team," or interested

individuals can register at Relayforlife.org/ClevelandCountyNC, or by calling 1-800-227-2345, or go to www.cancer.org/about-us.

Regarding donations raised last year, Ms. Peterson said "We were able to raise over $100,000 for the American Cancer Society and those funds go towards research, advocacy, treatment, (and) supporting our Toll-Free number, etc. We hope to blow that amount out of the water!"

Peterson and the RFL crew are all very appreciative to all who volunteer and help out during the RFL. She said, "Everyone on our Event Leadership Team is absolutely outstanding! I truly believe that the American Cancer Society brings in the best volunteers!"

For more information on the Cleveland County and other Relay For Life events, please visit cancer.org, or call them at 1-800-227-2345.