The kick off luncheon for the Canadian Cancer Society's Relay for Life will take place on Monday, April 7, organizers said at the relay's organizational meeting on March 18.

The luncheon will be at the Knox Fellowship Hall from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. at a cost of $5 for soup, sandwich and dessert. Everyone is welcome to attend to find out what Relay for Life is about and help kick it off. The agenda will be finalized in the next week.

Those who are planning to attend the luncheon are asked to RSVP to the Cancer Society office by Thursday, April 3.

At the organizational meeting, it was decided that the committee must communicate more clearly to the public about why they do things the way they do. Relay for Life has guidelines and standards that they have to adhere to in holding the event. Not meeting with these guidelines and standards could result in the event being closed down and termination of future relays.

For this reason, the committee must keep the actual site of the event, River Park, smoke-free. Also, to ensure that Relay for Life is a family fun event, alcohol is not allowed.

There was a concern expressed about dogs being at the event. For the safety of everyone, including of the pets, the committee asks that pets be left at home.

A number of team captains' kits have been given out and registrations are coming in. Team captain meetings are held on a regular basis to help new teams with fundraising ideas, challenge teams and to be updated on Relay information.

Teams can register through any one of the committee members, the Cancer Society office or Cara Cugnet. The next team captains' meeting will be held on Monday, April 7.

Any survivors who have not registered for Relay for Life yet are encouraged to phone or drop into the Cancer Society office for more information about participating with Relay for Life.

The committee is always looking for more volunteers. Individuals or groups/organizations are needed to spare an hour or two either before or the day of the event.

Volunteers, teams and survivors can all be registered online at www.cancer.ca. Luminaries may be purchased online as well. The schedule for luminary sales at merchant locations has not been set.

The Roaring Lioness Prowlers will be holding a fundraiser for their Relay team on Friday, May 16, with beef-on-a-bun from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Cancer Society office.

Relay for Life will be taking place at River Park on Friday, May 30, and Saturday, May 31.