SOUTH DEERFIELD — In anticipation of this year’s fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, Relay For Life of Franklin County is hosting its annual kickoff event at the Polish American Club.

“We want everyone to come,” commented Relay For Life Co-Chair Sue Pennison. “We want everyone to know they’re welcome. … We do it for Franklin County.”

The free event will take place on Saturday, Feb. 4, at 10 a.m. at the club, located at 46 South Main St. Attendees can expect a guest speaker and information about the American Cancer Society. There will also be snacks available.

In past years, the event has been held in other locations, such as at Yankee Candle.

“We try to rotate around Franklin County to make it convenient for everyone,” Pennison said. “It just so happens this place has been the perfect accommodation for us the last couple of years.”

According to Pennison, the event is an attempt to help people gear up for the local Relay For Life event, scheduled to take place June 9 and June 10 at the Franklin County Fairgrounds in Greenfield.

“Most teams fundraise all year long,” Pennison said. “A lot of teams tend to ramp up their fundraising starting with the kickoff.”

Relay For Life is an international event in which participants take turns walking around a track to show support for those who have been affected by cancer and raise money for the American Cancer Society’s life-saving cancer research and programs.

The June event at the fairgrounds will begin with an opening ceremony at around 5:45 p.m., Pennison said, after which cancer survivors are invited to take the first lap before others join in.

The theme this year will be Dr. Seuss, with the tagline, “Horton Hears a Hope.”

“We camp overnight and do various activities throughout the evening,” Pennison said. “We have children’s activities; we do themed laps, where people dress up … and we walk until the event shuts down at 1:30 p.m. … the following day.”

For more information on the American Cancer Society or the annual Relay For Life fundraiser, contact the local event’s staff partner, Monique Suarez, at monique.suarez@cancer.org.

Reporter Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-930-4429. Twitter: @MaryEByrne.

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