Relay for Life is a global, life-changing event that gives everyone a chance to celebrate the lives of those that have battled cancer, remember ones who they lost and to fight back against cancer. This event brings families, communities and cities together, and through local and regional participation, Relay for Life makes a global impact.

Dr. Gordy Klatt, a colorectal surgeon in Tacoma, Washington founded Relay for Life in 1985 when he ran and walked around a track for 24 hours to raise money for the American Cancer Society. In 25 years, the event has grown from Dr. Klatt's dream to become the world's largest event to fight and end cancer. Every year, more than 3.5 million people in 5,000 communities in the U.S. along with people in 20 other countries take to their track or path and gather to support this global phenomenon and raise money and awareness.

Relay for Life works like this: teams of people camp together at a local venue like a high school, park, fairground or gym and take turns walking or running around a track or pre-designated path. Someone from each team must be on the track at all times during the event, and the relay events are overnight events that last up to 24 hours, helping everyone remember that cancer never sleeps.

The Survivors' Lap is an inspirational time during the event when cancer survivors are invited to circle the track together to celebrate their personal victory over cancer with like-minded people. Seeing these survivors take to the track reminds all of the participants that Relay for Life is doing great work ensuring that more lives just like these are saved each year.

In addition to recognizing survivors, Relay for Life also recognizes and celebrates the caregivers. These people give time, support and love to those that fight cancer, whether they are friends, family, neighbors or coworkers. At Relay for Life, people understand the frustrations and the joys of being a caregiver.

The Luminaria Ceremony is an event that is held after dark, where candles are lit inside bags filled with sand, each one bearing the name of a person touched by cancer. This ceremony honors those who have been touched by cancer and those loved ones lost to cancer. During this time, participants often walk a lap in silence. This solemn time enforces the seriousness of cancer and the increasing need to defeat it.

The event closes with the Fight Back Ceremony, where participants pledge to take the fight against cancer with them. This may mean quitting smoking, getting a screening or actively working with politicians and educators to increase cancer awareness. By taking a personal stake in the fight against cancer, people become more passionate about its defeat.

SHOEBACCA is a proud sponsor for several of the North Texas 2010 Relay for Life Events. We have been staffing booths at two local YMCAs, where we have worked to generate interest in the upcoming Relay for Life events. Locally, Relay for Life will be happening at the Town North YMCA in Dallas on Friday, April 23 and Saturday, April 24.

"This is the first year that Town North has been involved with the North Dallas Relay for Life," said Christina Zitaglio, community manager for the American Cancer Society. "We have had it at Greenhill for the past few years, but moved it this year to be more centrally located. We expect a great turnout based on previous years, and hope that this new location will lend to an even larger turnout."

This year's event features NFL star Charles Haley as celebrity co-chair, and a full stack of entertainment for attendees. "We want to make the event as exciting as possible," said Delisa Schlachter, chair for Relay for Life. "We've got some stellar entertainment from The Rusty Brothers band and the band Don't Tell Mama, both from Dallas. During the event, we will have everything from stilt walkers to bounce houses and carnival style games.

"Woodlands Grill will be making sliders, and Pizza Hut, Dippin' Dots and Starbucks will also be providing food and drink. All of these concessions will be donating 20% of their proceeds to the event as well. There is definitely going to be something for everyone, and we hope that it encourages more people to come out. At the end of the day, our focus remains on Relay for Life and its mission," said Schlachter.

The Town North Relay for Life is Friday, April 23 and Saturday, April 24 at the Town North YMCA. To become a part of the event, visit Town North Relay for Life's website to learn more about donating or participating.