All of those who have been “Rocking and Relaying Through the Years” or just wish they had are invited to participate in the 2017 Pike County Relay for Life Kickoff and Men in Pink Wrap Up Party at 5:30 p.m. Monday at the Courtyard Marriott.

Deedie Carter and Leigh Ann Windham are co-chairs for the 2017 Pike County Relay for Life fundraising campaign and said the campaign is off to a fast start thanks to the Men in Pink fundraiser.

“This is the second year for our Men in Pink,” Carter said. “Last year, the men did a great job raising funds for Relay and this year is expected to be equally good.”

Twenty or more men participated in Men in Pike during the month of October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

“Each man who participated pledge to do three things,” Carter said. “They had to wear something pink every day during the month, encourage the women in their families to have annual mammograms and raise $1,000.”

Carter the Men in Pink raised Relay dollars in a variety of ways.

“Several business have donated a portion of their sales on a designated day to some of the men,” Carter said. “Some of the men have had food items for sale. And, some have relied mainly on the support of family and friends.”

The top fundraisers among the Men in Pike will be recognized at the 2017 Pike County Relay for Life Campaign Monday night.

The 2017 Pike County Relay for Life board chose its Relay theme for this year, “Rocking and Relaying Through the Years.

“The board thought teams would have a lot of fun organizing events and activities based on ‘Rocking and Relaying Through the Years,’” Carter said. “We are excited about the theme and the campaign.”

“The Monday night kickoff event will be an opportunity for teams from previous years to register and begin making plans for their fundraisers,” Windham said. “The kickoff will also be a good time for new teams to register.  Businesses, organizations, churches, schools, neighborhoods and individuals may form teams. Being on a team is a lot of fun and the money raised goes to the American Cancer Society for research into the causes of cancer and treatments and toward raising awareness about cancer.”

Windham said volunteers are always needed to assist in many different ways during the campaign. Those who would like to volunteer with the 2017 Pike County Relay for Life campaign are encouraged to attend Monday night’s meeting. The 2017 Pike County Relay for Life culminating event will be on the first Friday night of May at the Troy Sportsplex. Everyone is invited and encouraged to be a warrior in the fight against cancer. The fight begins at 5:30 Monday night at the Courtyard Marriott.