By Dan Hindmand
Staff Writer
In an effort to raise money to fight cancer, Relay for Life is coming to Prospect on Friday, May 2010.
Founded in 1985 by Dr. Gordon Klatt in Washington, Relay for Life has found its way into 50,000 U.S. communities and has spread to 20 countries. Relay has been going on in Mt. Prospect and Arlington Heights for eight years.

Schedule wise, the gates to the stadium will open at 4:30 p.m. The event starts at six in the afternoon with the Survivor’s Lap, when those who fought their battle with cancer and won circle the track.
Then, candles will be lit inside bags to commemorate those who died or were touched by cancer. This is called the Luminaria Ceremony.
The ceremonies will conclude with the Fight Back Ceremony. This is when participants make a commitment to save lives from cancer. For example, they might pledge to quit smoking, get screened, or take some other small step to help against cancer.
After that, students who have turned in a parent permission slip will be able to spend the night in the stadium. This represents that cancer never sleeps and its victims are fighting it no matter the time of day. Those who have not turned in a permission slip will have to leave at 11:30 pm, but team members can stay for as long as they like. (The slip can be downloaded at www.relayforlifemprospect.com.)
However, that’s not all the event has to offer.
Jack Avenue will be playing, made up of senior Sam Kelly (vocals and bass) along with juniors Tom Kelly (drums), lead singer Chris Enter, and guitarists Jimmy Minogue and Jeff Jennings.
There will also be a raffle offering Cubs and Sox tickets, gifts cards, gift baskets and two tickets for a Rihanna and Ke$ha concert in August.
Last year, the event made $55,000. Its goal was $42,000.
This year, the goal is to raise $60,000 and have 60 teams participate. As of May 12, it had 58 teams and 465 people signed up online.
Donations can be made in cash or check and can be turned in at the event at the accounting tent or Wednesday, May 19 at Bank Night, which will be located at American Charter Bank from 5-7 p.m. Team captains are encouraged to come and pick up t-shirts and packets.