ROME — The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Central New York, presented by Upstate Cancer Center, is inviting the community to join the movement to honor and remember loved ones and fight back for lifesaving change on Saturday, Sept. 17 from noon to 9 p.m. at Delta Lake State Park, 8797 Route 46.

This year, several of the area’s individual Relay For Life activities have merged into one large event, including Relay For Life of Utica, Rome, Madison County and the Syracuse area Festival of Relays.

“For years, volunteers have asked us to bring everyone together to make one, large Relay For Life event that unites all of our communities,” explained Robert Elinskas, senior Community Development manager for the American Cancer Society,.

“We’re excited to host over 50 teams from all over Central New York as we celebrate survivors, remember those lost and fight back by raising the funds needed to continue important cancer research and patient service programs,” Elinskas added.

Relay For Life of Central New York features teams from various local families, businesses and community groups who will try to keep at least one person from their team walking around the makeshift walking track at Delta Lake State Park during the event.

The event, which is open to the public, will feature an opening celebratory survivor reception from noon to 2 p.m. for all cancer survivors and caregivers, as well as a luminaria ceremony to remember all those lost to cancer at 8 p.m.

The event will also feature a variety of music, food trucks, the Upstate Cancer Center mobile mammography van, corn hole, the Clinton Tractor “survivor” tractor, numerous on-site fundraisers, kid activities and more.

For more than 35 years, Relay For Life has joined communities together to remember loved ones lost, honor survivors of all cancers, and raise money to help the American Cancer Society save lives from cancer. Dollars raised each year by more than 500,000 Relay participants across the country help attack all cancers in countless ways – funding and conducting breakthrough research, providing education and advocating for the needs of cancer patients and their families, and providing essential services throughout their cancer journey.

There are many ways to get involved.

• Join the Relay For Life of Central New York — Sign up to join an existing team or start a new team at RelayForLife.org/CNY.

• Walk the survivor lap – Cancer survivors can register ahead of time to receive their free survivor T-shirt either online at RelayForLife.org/CNY or by calling 1-800-227-2345.

• Sponsor a luminaria – Have a luminaria placed around the track in honor or in memory of someone you know who has fought cancer. Luminaria can be reserved through the event website at RelayForLife.org/CNY or through any of the participating RFL teams.

• Donate – If you can’t participate in this year’s event, you can still help save lives by making a donation. Every dollar fuels the American Cancer Society’s fight against cancer. Visit RelayForLIfe.org/CNY to make a donation today.

The event is presented by Upstate Cancer Center and is supported by several local businesses and organizations including AmeriCU, NYSTEC, Carrier Corporation, MVHS, Orgill of Rome, Sovena USA, KJ Electric, 96.1 the Eagle, and many others.

Founded by Dr. Gordy Klatt in Tacoma, Wash. in 1985, the Relay For Life movement unites communities across the globe to celebrate people who have been touched by cancer, remember loved ones lost, and take action for lifesaving change.

To learn more about Relay For Life, visit RelayForLife.org or call 1-800-227-2345.