Great Lakes Secondary School (GLSS) is welcoming the community to participate in the only Relay For Life event being held in Sarnia this year.
Teacher and event organizer Chloe Simic said the fundraising event will be held on Friday, May 30, beginning at 11:45 a.m. with a survivors' welcome.
"Any community member who is currently a survivor or a fighter of cancer can attend that, and we'll have a nice little light lunch for them," Simic said.
Others are welcome to meet at the school's outdoor track to participate in planned activities from 2:30 p.m. until 5:45 p.m.
"We're going to have live music provided by our band and some community members," she said. "With a donation upon entry, every community member will receive a luminary bag and they can take part in our luminary ceremony that will be held in our gymnasium at 5 p.m."
Money raised will benefit research and support services through the Canadian Cancer Society.
"This is our second big Relay for Life at Great Lakes. Last year, we raised $65,000. Our goal this year is to raise $75,000 and we're currently hovering around $43,000," Simic said. "I think our goal is attainable, especially if the community comes and helps us out, as this is the only Relay for Life in Sarnia this year."
Simic said community members can make a donation when they check-in at the track or they can do so online.
The Canadian Cancer Society posted on Facebook in March, announcing plans to reimagine Relay for Life and explore small-scale, community-driven options.
"The Canadian Cancer Society has made the difficult decision to discontinue supporting live Relay for Life events in some regions, including Sarnia," read the Facebook post. "While this was disappointing to hear, we know the heart and energy behind Relay lives on within our community."
For those attending Friday's event, GLSS is located on Murphy Road, near Wellington Street.
Meanwhile, North Lambton Secondary School in Forest is holding its eighth Relay for Life event on Friday as well. The school's goal is to raise $45,000.