“Lights, Camera, CURE!” is the theme for the 2009 Relay For Life of Polk County, scheduled May 1 at the Nathan Dean Sports Complex, Rockmart.

Relay is the American Cancer Society’s signature activity. It offers everyone in the community an opportunity to participate in the fight against cancer.

Currently, 19 teams have registered and members will take turns walking or running around the track. Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the overnight event.

Nancy Wright, Co-Chair, Polk County Relay For Life, said the teams will be decorating and dressing according to a movie team they have chosen.

“So far, we have seen a lot of imagination and creativity by the teams in choosing their movies,” she said.

She admitted that fundraising could be tougher than usual this year. “We’re determined to have a great Relay,” she added.

Cancer Survivors are the “Stars” and they will be invited to attend a Celebratory Dinner at 5 p.m. at the Depot in Rockmart, followed by a “parade” to the track. When the honorees arrive at the sports complex, they will kick off the 2009 Relay For Life by taking the first lap around the track.

Noah Mobley, age 9, has been named the Honorary Chairman. He was diagnosed with cancer at age 9 months. Noah was introduced to volunteers and other supporters during a recent meeting.

Miss Caroline Lumpkin, age 4, is another cancer survivor familiar to many who work with Relay activities.

Other highlights of the event this year will be:

“Caregiver Lap” will follow the first Survivors’ Lap. This lap is to honor and thank those who are caregivers to cancer patients.

A caregiver is defined not only as medical personnel, but also as family members, friends, neighbors, anyone who has cared for a cancer patient — reading to them, taking them to treatments, taking flowers or meals — any type of caring for a patient is included — these are “caregivers” and they are crucial to a patient’s recovery.

The “Little Mr. and Miss Relay” contest will begin at 8 p.m. Contestants will have a specified time period to walk around the track, collect donations and show off their movie-theme-related costumes. The winners will then be crowned.

A Luminaria Service will begin at 10 p.m. with bagpipe music, “Hush Angels” and “Silence Soldiers” will request silence and solemnity during this very special service.

Local groups, bands, and individuals will provide entertainment throughout the night. Volunteers are promoting an overnight public pajama party this year, in the hopes that more team members and visitors will stay overnight. Many teams have activities planned to keep going all night.

The HOPE Diamond Softball Tournament will be underway on field adjacent to the track. If you can’t come until 2 a.m., no problem.

“Come and stay as long as you can and help us celebrate, remember, and fight back!” said Nancy Wright.

If you are a cancer survivor, or if you know a cancer survivor or if you want to join a team, start a team, or just help out for a little while, contact Nancy Wright, 770-684-0418.

Relay For Life is a lif-changing event that brings together people to:

. Celebrate the lives of those who have battled cancer. The strength of survivors inspires others to continue to fight.

. Remember loved ones lost to the disease. At Relay, people who have walked alongside people battling cancer can grieve and find healing.

. Fight Back. Volunteers relay because they have been touched by cancer and desperately want to put an end to the disease.

. Relay fundraisers planned include a yard sale sponsored by First National Bank of Rockmart. It will be held beside the bank facility on Saturday, April 4.