NEWPORT-After months of work and preparation, Cocke County Relay for Life 2009's grand celebration kicks off Friday, May 8, at Cocke County A & I Fairgrounds.
A team event to fight cancer, Relay for Life is celebrating its silver anniversary this year as thousands of people around the world join together to raise money for the American Cancer Society's ongoing effort to find cures for cancer.
With an opening ceremony scheduled for 6 p.m. tomorrow, local Relay for Life volunteers will begin twenty-four hours of celebration and remembrance.
Because of the threat of inclement weather, plans have been made to move the celebration into the fairgrounds' various display building and agricultural barns.
"Relay for Life's motto is 'Because cancer never sleeps, neither do we,' the annual celebration runs for 24 hours," said local Relay for Life Chair Tina Kilgore. "Several of our local workers will spend the night at the fairgrounds."
See today's special Relay for Life section for a calendar of events.