The Brown County Relay for Life planning and fundraising is underway and organizers proudly announced the theme for this year’s relay is “7-7-7 Don’t Gamble with Cancer” during their first committee and team leader meetings on Tuesday.   The event is set for June 7 from 7pm-7am at Gordon Wood Stadium in Brownwood.

The fundraising goal for Brown County Relay for Life 2013 is $80,000 and everyone is invited to participate and attend.  To sign up and be a part of this year’s event, please visit the Brown County Relay For Life website.

Brown County Relay For Life organizer Tammy Robinson stated that there are currently 25 teams participating so far this year, and the official kickoff will be held from 11:00 AM until 2:00 PM on March 2nd at Walgreen’s parking lot (corner of W. Commerce and Main).

Fundraisers are already underway.  Currently, IntegraCare is holding a drawing for a Valentine’s basket, valued at $100.  Tickets are $2 per ticket or 3 for $5 and are available at IntegraCare Home Health, 107 E. South Park Drive or call 325-646-2717 and ask for Angela.

The next team fundraiser is being held on February 16th at Grand Starz and will be a non-smoking Bingo in memory of Dennis Thacker.  All proceeds benefit the Thacker Team, a Relay For Life of Brown County team.  Sessions will start at 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. with free tea and coffee available.  The public is invited to participate, have fun playing Bingo for $6 per session and enjoy the chance to win lots of cash and prizes which will be given away.  (Smokers are also invited and breaks will be taken during the event for smokers to go outside.)

Teams planning other Relay for Life fundraisers may email Lisa@BrownwoodNews to have your event added to future Relay For Life articles and the BrownwoodNews community calendar.

The American Cancer Society West Texas Region shared the reason why people gather for these relays each year on their facebook status, “Every year, the Relay For Life movement raises more than $400 million. The American Cancer Society puts these donations to work, investing in groundbreaking research in every type of cancer and providing free information and services to cancer patients and their caregivers. We’re fighting for every birthday threatened by every cancer, in your community and everyone else’s.”

The West Texas Region of the American Cancer Society is made up of 105 counties (including Brown County), 60 Relays, and 1000+ volunteers make up the West Texas Region of the American Cancer Society.