In 2001, 63 Grayson County residents died of cancer.

The same year 132 were diagnosed with the disease.

Relay for Life began 17 years ago and last year, in Grayson County alone, $100,000 was raised.

The program allows communities to grieve for those lost and celebrate those surviving.

This year's Relay for Life Kick-off Party was held Thursday night at the Centre on Main, where committee members set a goal to top last year's total.

The ceremony was highlighted by Quest Speaker Sue Sims and a luminary ceremony.

Sue Sims has been a participant in the Relay for Life program for many years. Last September she was diagnosed with the disease herself.

Suddenly CANCER was part of her everyday life. Luckily, it was found early and the cancerous cells removed.

This year, Sue Sims is a survivor. She will walk the survivor lap with other local cancer survivors.

The luminary ceremony is one moment to remember loved ones affected or lost by the disease with a lighted candle.

According to Michelle Heaverin, co-chairperson of RFL Kick-off, luminary is more intimate. The luminary in June will circle the high school track.

Project Manager Dennis Cook with the American Cancer Society, told the group that his goal for Relay for Life stretches over the next four years.

In the 1940s and '50s, cancer had to be explained because people didn't know what it was. He wants to see that happen again.

He has a one-year-old child at home and when she starts school he wants her to have to look up the definition of cancer. "It's an exciting hope," Cook said.

Relay for Life still has several sponsorships open and teams are still being encouraged.

For more information on getting involved, contact Doug Myers or Michelle Heaverin.

Many different fund raising ideas give Relay for Life a boost every year, among them: a quilt is being raffled, yard sales will benefit the program and a golf coupon book is being sold.

Awards for this year's Relay for Life walk will include: Best Decorated Campsite, Best Theme, Most Spirit, Most Money Raised by a Not-for-Profit Organization, Most Money Raised by a Team and Most Money raised by an Individual.

Relay for Life will have a Survivors Lap and Luminary Ceremony on Friday, June 18 at 7 p.m.

The Survivor's Lap features all survivors in an honorary first lap around the track. The Luminary Ceremony becomes the light by which walkers will make their way around the track. Candles are placed in paper bags with names of loved ones affected or lost by cancer. These lights line the track throughout the night.

The program is a sacrifice of time that pays in rebuilt hope and support.