WINDSOR – As Friday draws near, Bertie County Relay For Life organizers JoAnn Jordan, Glenwood Mitchell and Bobbie Parker are gearing up to reach a goal of $190,000 for cancer research and education.

As the oldest relay group in the state, Bertie’s Relay has been in the top 10 national events each year since its existence and number one in the nation for money raised per capita for the past three to four years, topping $1 million in 2003. Last year the event raised $187,336.47.

The event, kicks off at 2 p.m. Friday at the Bertie High School football field giving what has traditionally been thousands of people an opportunity to pay tribute to cancer victims while raising money towards a cure and has been known to pull together a cross section of people who have, in some way or another, been affected by the disease.

&uot;People always ask why I relay,&uot; Parker said, indicating a variety of reasons she could offer up, &uot;but I think the relay pamphlet says it best.&uot;

Quoting the brochure, Parker stated, &uot;When the book is written on how cancer was eliminated, the American Cancer Society – Relay For Life will have the last chapter, explaining how a grassroots event united millions of people in thousands of communities in a common cause to eradicate this disease and form the largest non-profit fundraising event in the world – the largest in humankind’s history.&uot;

Anyone under 21 must be a Relay For Life participant and will be required to wear wrist bands provided by team captains or must be accompanied by parent. Law enforcement will be on hand to ensure the regulations for reasons of safety.

Performances will begin at 5:30 p.m. Friday, May 13, starting with the Southwestern Middle School Choir with the event schedule as follows:

Friday, May 13

2:00 p.m. – Campsite Setup, Survivor Registration/Luminary Sales, Music by Ed Pittman (DJ);

4:30 p.m. – Survivor Reception;

5:30 p.m. – Entertainment – Southwestern Middle School Choir;

5:30 p.m. – Captains’ Meeting;

6:00 p.m. – Color Guard – Bertie High JROTC, National Anthem – Sung by Tiffany Newsome, Invocation, Welcome and Opening Remarks with Survivor Message – Linda Speller, Introduction of Survivors, Ceremonial Lap by Survivors, Group Lap By All;

7:00 p.m. – First Wave of Team Relay Walkers, Survivor Reception;

7:30 p.m. – Trinity Gospel Ensemble;

8:00 p.m. – Bertie High SWAT Club;

8:15 p.m. – Jason Johnson,

8:30 p.m. – DJ;

8:45 p.m. – Darlene Johnson;

9:00 p.m. – Luminaria Service;

9:45 p.m. – Norman Britt;

10:00 p.m. – Stacey & Nicole Britt;

10:15 p.m. – DJ;

10:30 p.m. – Remembrance Band;

11:30 p.m. – Indian Woods Spirit Dancers;

Midnight – Karaoke

Saturday, May 14

7:00 a.m. – Sunrise Service – Led by Rev. Tommy Kiker;

8:00 a.m. – Breakfast – Sponsored by Maola & Sara Lee;

9:00 a.m. – DJ;

10:30 a.m. – Babies For A Cure Contest;

11:00 a.m. – Richard Simmons in Concert;

Noon – DJ;

1:30 p.m. – Last Lap/ Closing Ceremony/ Cleanup.

Bertie Relay For Life is open to the public and cancer survivors are encouraged to participate and be honored.

For more information, contact JoAnn Jordan at 252-794-6228 or Bobbie Parker at 252-345-3541.

For security related questions contact Glenwood Mitchell at 252-325-2855.