Walkers will visit fellow community members, eat and listen to music, all while battling cancer at the first annual Collegedale Community Fest Relay For Life, at Veterans Memorial Park on Sunday from 2-8 p.m.

At American Cancer Society Relay For Life events individuals and teams “camp out” at athletic tracks, parks or other gathering areas, with the goal of keeping at least one team member on the track or pathway at all times throughout the event. Teams do most of their fundraising prior to the event, but some teams also hold creative fundraisers at their “camp sites” during Relay.

Relay brings together friends, families, businesses, hospitals, schools, faith-based groups and people from all walks of life – all aimed at furthering the American Cancer Society’s efforts to save lives by helping people stay well, by helping them get well, by finding cures and by fighting back.

The Collegedale Community Fest Relay For Life, presented by North American Credit Services, will feature entertainment by Yesterday’s News, the Southern Adventist University Jazz Band and Steve Middlebrooks and the Steel Country Band. The event will also feature activities for children and adults. Food, like black bean burgers, hot dogs, popcorn, among others will be available at team campsites for a donation.

To register a team visit www.relayforlife.org/collegedale. Call Lauren Davenport, development representative for the American Cancer Society, at 855-2778 for more information.

“Relay is a unique opportunity for our community to come together to celebrate people who have battled cancer, remember those we’ve lost, and fight back against the disease,” said Joel Henderson, Relay For Life chair. “Many of the participants are cancer survivors, which serves as a reminder that Collegedale is not immune to this disease and that by participating in Relay, we are joining with the American Cancer Society’s efforts to create a world with less cancer and more birthdays."

Funds raised at the Collegedale Community Fest Relay For Life are enabling the American Cancer Society to impact the lives of those touched by cancer within the community.

This year alone, 15 Hamilton County residents have stayed a total of 44 nights completely free of charge at the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge facility in Nashville while receiving outpatient cancer treatment in the city. American Cancer Society volunteers have also provided Hamilton County residents with over 200 rides to and from their local cancer treatment through the American Cancer Society’s Road to Recovery program.

Relay For Life’s Luminaria Ceremony will take place at 7:40 just as the sun goes down, honoring the community’s cancer survivors and remembering those lost to the disease. Participants will circle a track that is surrounded with glowing luminaria that bear the name of someone who has battled cancer. Luminaria may be purchased for $10 by calling 855-2778 or by visiting www.relayforlife.org/collegedale.

To locate another Relay For Life event and find out how to get involved, call 800 227-2345 or visit RelayForLife.org.