Residents of Nemaha, Johnson and Richardson counties will come to Auburn High School Friday night, June 7, to celebrate, remember and fight back against cancer.
The 18th annual Southeast Nebraska Relay For Life, with a Carnival of Life theme, is from 6 p.m. to midnight.
“It is a life-changing event. It’s a chance to celebrate, remember loved ones lost to cancer and to fight back against the disease,” said Paige Hillman, who is chairing the 2013 Relay with Angela Allgood.

Anyone interested in helping with the Relay, please contact Hillman at 402-871-5970 or Allgood at 402-414-0318. Information may be found at: www.relayforlife.org/nemahacone.
The 2012 Auburn Relay attracted 86 participants. A shortened time period was tried to determine its acceptance in the community, Hillman said during the Saturday, Feb. 23, Relay Rally at the 4-H Building in Auburn.
“It worked well last year. Having people from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. is hard,” Hillman said. Many relays continue overnight.
The Southeast Nebraska event has raised $300,000 through the years.
Hillman said there are three ways you can help.
–Being a team captain. “It is not as much work as many people think it is. You need to donate your time. The team captain kits have changed. When you sign up for a team, you will get information on team goals,” she said.
Planning meetings are the first Monday each month at 6 p.m. at the Auburn Senior Center.
“To set up a team, you should come to the meetings to find out what is going on. Team sizes can vary. Each team has its own fundraiser. A team can have a table at the Relay. You can take on as much responsibility as you want. You need to keep your team motivated. You need to try to keep as many people on the track at all times,” Hillman said.
–Contribute, as an individual or as part of a team. Anyone who raises $100 may obtain a T-shirt, which will be available by late April or early May, she said.
–Volunteer to help set up and clean up; and help with games, the survivors dinner and the luminaria ceremony. Hillman said Jackie Obermeyer does a great job with the survivors dinner.
All cancer survivors are invited to participate in survivor activities, victory lap and dinner. Survivor registration, activities and dinner are from 5 to 6 p.m. June 7. Opening ceremonies are at 6 p.m., followed by the victory lap at 6:15 p.m. The luminaria ceremony is at 9:30 p.m. Luminaries are dedicated to loved ones, including those lost to cancer and who are fighting cancer.
Proceeds from Relay For Life benefit the American Cancer Society’s research, education, advocacy and patient service program.
Relay For Life began in May 1985, when Dr. Gordy Klatt walked and ran for 24 hours around a track at Tacoma, Wash. He raised $27,000 for the American Cancer Society. A year later, 340 supporters joined the overnight event. Relay For Life has expanded internationally. More than three million participants have raised more than $4 billion to fight cancer.