CANCER SURVIVOR Barney Leach of Fairfield shot baskets from halfcourt Friday to raise $2,675 for Freestone County Relay for Life. Leach made 25 shots in his “Baskets for Hope” fundraiser. The 12th annual Freestone County Relay for Life fundraiser of American Cancer Society opens its overnight run Friday at Eagle Field in Fairfield.

Relay for Life not only serves as an ACS fundraiser, it is a time for area residents to remember cancer victims and survivors.

Last year the event raised about $77,000, and since the inaugural event in 1998 the Freestone county relay has raised more than $825,000.

Through last week, teams had turned in pledges of about $42,000, and more donations are expected this week and during the event.

Starting the relay at 6 p.m. is a reception with refreshments and gifts for cancer survivors.

The opening ceremony starts at 7 p.m. with invocation by the Rev. Spain Trask, flag raising ceremony by Boy Scout Troop 668 and singing of the national anthem. Serving as announcer is Kyle Stone.

A $500 DONATION FROM Sam’s Restaurant is received by Freestone County Relay for Life. Pictured are: l-r, relay volunteers Mozelle Williamson, Billie Brim and Rheagan Cotton, Noelle Glass representing Sam’s and relay volunteer Spain Trask. At 7:15 p.m. cancer survivors line up on the Eagle field track to walk the first lap of the relay. They will be joined on the second lap by family and friends.

During the first lap, the names of cancer survivors and their years of victory over the disease will be announced.

Centerpiece of the relay are teams which have collected pledges and will walk the track for 12 straight hours, ending at 7 a.m. Saturday.

Teams will set up campsites on the football field for the duration, giving members a place to rest and visit while not walking.

Throughout the night, participants will be entertained by the Fairfield fourth grade choir and other musical groups.

Hamburgers and other food will be sold by teams and family activities are planned by various teams.

Children can play in a bounce house from 7:30-10 p.m.

Luminarias purchased in memory of cancer victims and in recognition of cancer survivors are to be lit for a special ceremony from 10- 11 p.m.

The honor and memorial luminarias will be on sale for $5 each until the ceremony starts.

During the luminaria ceremony, the Eagle Field lights will be turned off and a roll of cancer survivors and victims will be read, and the word “HOPE” will be spelled out in lights on the east foot- ball stands.

Conducting the luminary ceremony are Mark Palmquist, Kevin Benedict and Shelly Lyles, with an opening and closing prayer given by Jason Schick.

A quilt made for the relay will be given away at 11 p.m. The quilt, pieced by Becky Stephenson of Fairfield, contains embroidered names of cancer survivors and victims.

A frozen T-shirt contest is set for 1 a.m. Saturday and a cupcake walk is at 2 a.m.

Announcement of special awards is to be made at 6 a.m.

Special awards go to the top youth and adult fundraising teams, most spirited team, best decorated camp and for most laps walked by an individual, among other categories.