MURFREESBORO – Another year has passed without a blanket cure for cancer, but the effort remains to fuel vital research that may one day totally eradicate that dreaded disease.

The 2011 Relay for Life season has come to a close and officials with the annual Hertford-Gates event are planning to celebrate a successful year as well as kicking off a new one on Thursday.

Hertford-Gates Relay for Life will celebrate its 2011 accomplishments with a “Wrap Up Celebration” to be held at 6 p.m. on Sept. 22 at Metal Tech in Murfreesboro. Anyone involved in this year’s event is urged to attend.

On the same night at 7 p.m., Hertford-Gates Relay for Life will kick off its 2012 season as even volunteers and participants gather to launch their fundraising efforts for the year. This also will be the first opportunity to register a team. If you are interested in forming a team, becoming a planning committee member, or want to know more about Relay for Life, you are invited to Metal Tech at 7 p.m. on Sept. 22.

Hertford-Gates Relay for Life had 1,081 volunteers that helped raise $255,668.38 this year to support the American Cancer Society’s mission of saving lives from cancer.

Through their hard work in fundraising, preparing for the event, and by spending hours working for the cause, Hertford, Gates, Bertie and Northampton residents certainly did their part to help the American Cancer Society create a world with less cancer, and more birthdays.