Participants begin gathering prior to the 2017 Relay For Life of Upper Illinois Valley, which was held at Lake Mendota. This year’s Relay on July 14 will move to Mendota High School, but no matter where the Relay is held, hope is always the focus. (Reporter photo)

MENDOTA - Relay for Life is looking for you! The Upper Illinois Valley Relay for Life Committee is seeking teams and individual participants for their upcoming Relay for Life event, which will take place at Mendota High School on Saturday, July 14.

Relay for Life is our community’s chance to unite in the fight against cancer and support the American Cancer Society’s efforts to create a world with less cancer and more birthdays. Relay is a fun event in which teams walk with the goal of keeping at least one team member walking on the track at all times throughout the night to signify that cancer never sleeps.

Teams can be any size and there is no cost to sign up. In addition to walking throughout the night, some teams hold creative fundraisers at their campsites during the Relay. No matter how large or small, teams have no minimum amount of money they must raise.

Sign up can be completed online at www.relayforlife.org/uivil or by contacting Nancy Jackson at (815) 830-4179. Individuals who do not wish to sign up an entire team, but would like to join in this effort, are welcome to participate individually by signing up for a team that is already registered.

Relay is always looking for volunteers to help throughout the night, as well. Volunteers are needed for various tasks such as registration, the Luminaria lap, serving or busing tables at the Survivor’s Dinner, and for a number of other fun activities that will take place during the evening. Please call Sandi at (815) 539-5418 to volunteer or to learn more.