American Cancer Society gears up for its annual Relay for Life on Saturday

The American Cancer Society's Relay for Life is right around the corner.

The event, which raises money for cancer research and programs that help cancer patients, takes place from 3:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Saturday at the Four States Fairgrounds midway. People can participate in the relay for free. “It's free to register and participate,” said Katie Stone, a volunteer with Relay for Life. “Our teams do fundraising leading up to the event, but the event is where most of the money is raised.”

Teams will have a variety of activities available to entertain people who attend the event, including a small car show, games, a photo booth and food for sale.

“Most importantly, this is open to the public. It's family-friendly. We have lots of kids' stuff and food and games,” Stone said. “Teams will be fundraising the whole night.”

Cancer survivors are recognized during the relay. There will be a survivor walk at 4 p.m. and a survivor tent that will have special activities for survivors. The survivor dinner will be catered by Texas Roadhouse.

Luminarias are available in honor of or in memory of someone who's had cancer, and those can be purchased at the event or from a team member for $5 or for $10 online at relayforlife.org/texarkanatx. The goal for this year's Relay for Life is $30,000. The money is used in a variety of ways. “Sixty to 75 percent of the money goes to cancer research,” said Christal Prince, community manager for the ACS. “We need to realize this money comes back to our community in all of the cancer survivors we see at relays. Every citizen here will benefit from all that research if they're ever diagnosed with cancer. … “The mission of the American Cancer Society is to find cures for cancer and also to find better treatments for cancer. … One of the things we really want to stress about the American Cancer Society and Relay is it's about all forms of cancer, not one particular type.”

Proceeds are also used for several local programs that help cancer patients, including a free wig program.

“That's for patients going through chemotherapy or anything that makes them have major hair loss,” Prince said. “Another program we have is Road to Recovery. That helps patients who don't have a ride to treatment or a doctor's appointment. We have volunteers that give them rides. ACS also supplies personal management to help cancer patients going through their treatment. That's to help them keep up and manage everything going on with their treatment. We don't pay their bills per se, but it's a helpful tracking system to help them keep up with everything.”

Relay for life is heartwarming in the way it brings the community together.

“For me the thing that makes it so special is how many people come together. A lot of people have been affected by cancer, but we have a lot of people in our community who just want to be there and help. They may personally be affected by cancer but they are ready to be there for those who are fighting cancer,” Stone said.

People interested in participating can register at relayforlife.org/texarkanatx.