The Southeast Alabama Rural Health Associates (SARHA) Relay for Life team was the top fundraising team for the Pike County Relay for Life campaign in 2009 with more than $22,000.

The 2010 SARHA Relay team is shifting into high gear in an effort to hold the top position for this year’s campaign.

One reason for the SARHA team’s success is that it’s one of the first teams to get out of the starting gate each year.

“We do small fundraiser throughout the year and a couple of big ones,” said Britt Dickey, who captains the team along with Pam Smith. “Raising funds for the American Cancer Society is very personal for us, as it is for so many. There aren’t many people who have not been affected by cancer, either through a family member or a friend. We want to do all that we can in the fight against this disease.”

For the past couple of years, the SARAH Relay team has hosted a Bluegrass Barbecue Bike and Bull event but Mother Nature has not been cooperative.

“The weather has given us trouble,” Dickey said. “So, we wanted to plan an event that wouldn’t be affected by the weather. Pam Little said a Relay pageant used to be a popular fundraiser and suggested that we might want to do a pageant.

“A pageant would get the kids involved in Relay and the community, too. It would also help raise awareness about cancer, so we decided to give a pageant a try. We’ll still have the Dice Run, which was the bike event of the Bluegrass Barbecue Bike and Bull fundraiser.”

The “Hope for a Cure Beauty Pageant,” a Relay for Life benefit, will be Saturday, March 20 at Park Memorial United Methodist Church in Troy.

The entry fee for those who make the early bird registration deadline of Feb. 15 will be $25. The fee for those who register after that date will be $35. The deadline to enter is March 5.

The age divisions for the “Hope for a Cure Beauty Pageant” are Baby of Hope (up to 23 months), Toddler of Hope (2 & 3 years), Tiny Miss Hope (4 through 6 years), Little Miss Hope (7 through 9 years), Petite Miss Hope (10 through 12 years), Princess of Hope (13 through 16 years) and Queen of Hope (17 through 23 years).

For more information and registration forms, contact Dickey or Smith at 334-670-6726 ext. 165.