In May, the American Cancer Society Relay For Life reached the milestone of 25 years of community presence and action in the fight against cancer.

Communities across the country are hosting their celebrations now in honor of this tremendous achievement.

Since 1985, the American Cancer Society Relay For Life has grown from one man - Dr. Gordy Klatt, who walked, jogged, and ran around a track for 24 hours raising money for his local American Cancer Society unit - to a movement to eliminate cancer that now takes place in 5,000 communities in the United States and in 20 other countries around the world.

More than 3.5 million people participate in the life-changing event, which has raised a total of more than $3 billion to fund the American Cancer Society’s mission.

“As we approach our 25th year of Relay, we can both reflect on and look forward to all the ways we can celebrate, remember, and fight back through Relay and because of Relay,” said Mary Foerster, event chair for the Relay For Life of Lancaster County. “For 25 years Relay has given cancer survivors, cancer patients, caregivers, family, friends, and entire communities a place where their voices can be heard in the fight against cancer.”

The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Lancaster County takes place at 7 p.m. on Friday, July 24 at Haymarket Park in Lincoln. To participate, call your American Cancer Society at 402-423-4893. Information about Relay For Life is available 24 hours a day by visiting www.RelayForLife.org .

For information on cancer, call the American Cancer Society’s 24-hour help line at 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org .