The Pike County Relay for Life fundraising campaign will head into the closing stretch beginning with the 2018 Survivors’ Dinner on Monday night. However, the finish line looms somewhere down the road when the battle with cancer is won and final victory is declared, said Isaiah Scott, 2018 Pike County Relay for Life chairman.

“We are looking forward to celebrating the victories won over cancer with the survivors and their caregivers on Monday night,” Scott said. “The Survivors’ Dinner will be at 6 p.m. at the Park Memorial United Methodist Church Family Life Center. Invitations have been mailed, but there could be those whose names are not yet on the mailing list. We want to make sure that all cancer survivors know they are invited along with their caretaker or a loved one.”

Scott said it is not necessary but very helpful in making preparations to know how many will be in attendance. The number to call to RSVP is 334-714-8942.

The Survivors Dinner will be a celebration of the victories won over cancer and every survivor will be an honored guest.

“The program will include our featured speaker and we will announce the 2018 Pike County Relay for Life Honorary Chairman and also the 2018 Pike County Relay for Life Caregiver of the Year,” Scott said.

The 2018 Pike County Relay for Life Board is continuing to accept nominations for those awards. Nominations may be made to 334-672-1997 by Friday noon.

Scott said about 20 Pike County Relay for Life teams are continuing to raise dimes and dollars for the fight against cancer and, as always, the Pike County community is demonstrating its generosity.

Fundraising and other awards will be presented at the culminating Relay for Life event on Friday night, May 4 on the Miracle Field at the Troy Sportsplex.

“We changed venues this year,” Scott said. “The idea was that the Miracle Field will be well-suited for the community cookout celebration of victories won, for honoring and supporting those who are continuing the fight and remembering those whose battles were lost.”

Scott said there will be several lap designations during the Relay walk including a backward lap and a glow-stick lap. But the Survivors Lap and the Luminary Walk are the most significant laps.

Special awards will be given for best tent decoration, the outstanding rookie team, Spirit of Relay and, of course, the fundraising awards.

Entertainment will be by DJ Redd and live entertainment by local musicians.

The Pike County Relay for Life team and community event will begin at 6 p.m. on May 4 on the Miracle Field at the Troy Sportsplex. Everyone is invited to participate.