Organizers held the 2013 Relay for Life kickoff Saturday in the Walgreens’ parking lot in Brownwood to officially start the fundraising campaign as teams begin to assemble for this year’s event.   Around 10 teams were present to begin their fundraising efforts on Saturday. The theme for this year’s relay is “7-7-7 Don’t Gamble with Cancer,” and the relay is set for June 7 from 7pm-7am at Gordon Wood Stadium in Brownwood.

Volunteer Donna Burleson said that so far this year, 20 teams signed up and that they are ahead of where they were at this time last year.  Burleson is a cancer survivor and has been involved in Relay for Life for almost 6 years. She completed her first relay when her hair was just growing back from chemotherapy.

One of the teams in attendance was Team Lenzi.  Lenzi is the daughter of Lisa Deluna, a teacher’s assistant at Northwest Elementary. Lenzi is now a cancer survivor and 11 years old.  The team is made up of 26 teachers and teacher assistants who have come together to raise money for a cure.

“Our family at Northwest, we pull together for everything, if somebody needs something we are all there to help,” said Laura Atchley, Kindergarten teacher at Northwest.

The fundraising goal for Brown County Relay for Life 2013 is $80,000, and everyone is invited to participate and attend the relay.  Those looking to sign up for this year’s relay can visit the Brown County Relay For Life