The American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life had been a life changing event, bringing together more than 3.5 million people. This year, Relay for Live will celebrate its 25th anniversary.

Locally, Relay will be Nov. 14-15 at the county fairgrounds.

“This year is a milestone event” said Tracey Gregorcyk, sponsorship chair. “We encourage everyone in the community to participate in one way or another.”

Letters and packets of information have been mailed out to business and individuals who have participated in previous years, inviting them to participate again.

The event needs sponsors to help defray expenses, to raise money to fight cancer through research, education, advocacy and patient services.

The levels of sponsorship and price include:

1) $1,000, recognition at the top of all Relay T-shirts, recognized at Survivor’s Reception, listing in Relay program and all major correspondence, five participant T-shirts, waiving of team commitment fee for four teams, announcing of sponsorship throughout the event;

2) $750, recognition on all Relay T-shirts, recognized at Survivor’s Reception, listing in Relay program and all major correspondence, four participant T-shirts, waiving of team commitment fee for three teams, announcing of sponsorship throughout event;

3) $500, recognition on all Relay T-shirts, recognized at Survivor’s Reception, listing in Relay program and all major correspondence, three participant T-shirts, waiving of team commitment fee for two teams, announcing of sponsorship throughout event;

4) $250, recognition on all Relay T-shirts, recognized at Survivor’s Reception, listing in Relay program and all major correspondence, two participant T-shirts, waiving of team commitment fee for 1 team, announcing of sponsorship throughout the event;

5) $100, recognition on all Relay T-shirts, recognized at Survivor’s Reception, listing in Relay program and all major correspondence, one participant T-shirt, announcing of sponsorship throughout the event;

6) $50, recognition in Relay program;

7) $25, Cancer Fact Signs - Displays name of contributor and cancer fact, signs place around the entire track.

“In - kind donations are very much appreciated as well,” Gregorcyk said.

Any business or individual who is interested in being a sponsor for the “25 Years of Relaying” is most welcome. Please contact Tracey Gregorcyk, sponsorship chair, at 361-526-4467. Checks should be made out to the American Cancer Society and mailed to Tracey Gregorcyk, 506 E. Roca St., Refugio, TX 78377.

Relay for Life celebrates the lives of those who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and empower individuals and communities to fight back against a disease that takes too much.

This year, an estimated 83,400 Texans will be diagnosed with cancer. Many good people in our community have fought the battle with cancer - some are winning, some have lost - everyone needs to be remembered.

It was May, 1985, when Dr. Gordy Klatt took the first step of his 24-hour walk/run/jog around a track in Tacoma, Wash. raising $27,000 to support the American Cancer Society.

The following year, 220 supporters on 19 teams joined Klatt in this overnight event and the American Caner Society’s Relay for Life was born.