RUSSELL — Russell County residents will gather at Russell High School at 2 p.m. May 31 to “Finish the Fight” in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.

So far this year, Relay for Life of Russell County has raised $17,556 in support of the American Cancer Society’s vision of the world with less cancer and more birthdays and will involve more than 122 participants.

This year’s Relay for Life event will last for 12 hours as individuals and teams camp out around the gym with the goal of keeping at least one team member on the track or pathway at all times throughout the evening.

Teams do most of their fundraising prior to the event, but some teams will hold creative fundraisers at their sites during the Relay.

There will also be kid’s games, a community hog roast, concession stand, basket auction, DJ from Parson’s Productions, and a live band — SLY Ridge.

The Relay brings together friends, families, businesses, hospitals, schools, faith based groups and people from all walks of life as they aim to further the American Cancer Society’s efforts to save lives by helping people stay well, by helping get well, by finding cures and by fighting back.

Relay for Life began in May 1985, when Dr. Gordy Klatt, a colorectal surgeon took the first step of this 24-hour walk around a track in Tacoma, Wash., and raised more than $27,000 to support the American Cancer Society.

For more information, contact Damian Morgenstern at (785) 483-0404 or [email protected]