JACKSON – It’s time again to slip on some comfortable shoes and take a walk, all for a good cause. Northampton County’s eighth annual Relay for Life will be held on Friday, May 17 at the Cultural and Wellness Center in Jackson.

The American Cancer Society sponsors the yearly fundraiser where participants walk continuously around a track to signify that cancer never sleeps and neither does the fight against it. The Relay for Life event also takes time to honor cancer survivors and family caregivers while remembering loved ones who have already passed on.

This year’s theme will be “Click your heels together and follow the yellow brick road to survival land.”

Unlike previous years where the fundraiser runs for a 24-hour period between Friday and Saturday, this time the event will last from noon to midnight on Friday. The opening ceremony will be held at 6 p.m. as usual to kick off the evening festivities.

Special laps around the track will be held to recognize survivors and caregivers. Then the track will open up for all participants to traverse until the end of the relay.

The event will also include a variety of activities for participants to enjoy as well as music and dance performances by local talents. Some relay teams will also be providing food.

The main event of the evening will be the luminaria ceremony to commemorate those who have already passed on and for those who continue to fight. The track will be lit up with luminary bags, each bearing the name of someone who has been afflicted with the disease. During this time, guest speakers will share their testimonies about their experiences with cancer, either as a survivor or as a caregiver.

Teams made up of individuals from local churches, civic groups, and other organizations have worked together to raise money throughout the year before the final push at this Friday’s Relay for Life. A total of 19 teams are signed up for this year’s event along with several individuals.

Their fundraising goal is $50,000. The Northampton event has raised well over $300,000 for the fight against cancer since it began holding Relay for Life fundraisers.

The Northampton County Cultural and Wellness Center is located at 9536 Hwy 305 in Jackson.