Relay for Life Kicks Off Tuesday at nZone

Volunteers and participants with the American Cancer Society Relay For Life® of Centreville and Chantilly will gather Tuesday night at nZone in Chantilly to kickoff fundraising efforts for 2013.

Here's the scoop:

When: Tuesday, Dec. 4, 7-8 p.m.

Where: nZone, 14550 Lee Road, Chantilly

How: To join the group this year, register online at CentrevilleRelay.org or call the local office at (703) 938-5550.

Organizers say the rally will feature speakers from the community who have benefited from previously raised funds from Relay for Life and the group will also honor local cancer survivors and caregivers.

Tuesday night will also be the first opportunity for participants to register a team and select a campsite for an overnight event to be held June 8, 2013 at nZone.

Relay For Life mobilizes communities to celebrate people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost and provide participants with an opportunity to fight back against the disease, according to a news release from the group.

"Relay brings together friends, families, businesses, hospitals, schools, faith-based groups . . . people from all walks of life — all aimed," the group notes, "at furthering the American Cancer Society’s vision of creating a world with less cancer and more birthdays."

Relay For Life began in 1985 with one man who walked and ran around a track for 24 hours and raised $27,000 for the American Cancer Society. This year, Relay For Life will take place in nearly 5,100 communities in the United States and 20 other countries and will raise funds to support the Society’s mission of saving lives by helping people stay well, by helping people get well, by finding cures and fighting back.

To learn more about the American Cancer Society or to get help, call them at (800) 227-2345 or visit cancer.org.