While co-chairing the past two Warren County Relay for Life events, Mary Hase and Sara Creech have been blown away by the number of people who weren’t aware the event was open to the public. In an effort to increase awareness and engage the public more about this year’s relay, the sisters are inviting everyone to support the fundraiser that helps fight cancer. “People think it’s only for those with or who had cancer,” Hase said. “It’s for everyone. It’s for the public. We want everyone to come and have a good time.” A kickoff meeting was held Monday to announce this year’s goals and begin preparations for the event. The Warren County Relay for Life will begin at 6 pm. Friday, June 3, and conclude at 6 a.m. Saturday, June 4, at Black Hawk Middle School in Warrenton. The theme is “A Night Under the Stars.” Participants will take part in the largest fundraising walk in the nation around the school’s track. A variety of activities are held throughout the evening and morning to bring awareness to the disease. “We want more community participation,” Hase said. “Anyone can come and check us out and see what we’re all about.” Creech added: “We want people to know it’s not just for people with cancer.” Several new improvements were outlined at Monday’s meeting. The biggest change will center around the commemorative event T-shirts received by participants. In the past, participants received a shirt to wear at the event with a $10 commitment. This year, shirts will only be provided to registered participants who raise $100 or more, or whose team collectively raises $100 per participant. Beyond the initial $100 commitment, participants will continue to receive incentive gifts based on the level of fundraising achieved. Also new this year, any money a participant raises for a luminaria will now count toward an individual or team’s fundraising goal along with any sponsorship money raised. There also will be no cap on how many members a team can have. In the past a team couldn’t have more than 15 members. Organizers hope to raise $60,000 at this year’s event. In 2010, $56,060 was collected. A goal for 25 teams and 100 survivors has been set as well. Last year, 19 teams and 79 survivors participated. In addition, organizers want to raise $2,500 in luminarias and $1,500 in sponsorships. In 2010, the local event brought in $2,160 in luminarias, but had no sponsorship money. Individuals or teams can register at www.relayforlife.org/warrencomo. “We thought these are reachable goals this year,” Hase said. The money raised at the Warren County event and others held in Missouri and across the nation help fund cancer research and various programs. According to the American Cancer Society, each year approximately 117 Warren County residents are diagnosed with cancer. In 2009, 120 cancer patients in Warren County received a service or participated in an American Cancer Society program. Some of the services available for local cancer patients include a personal health manager to help patients keep track of appointments, medication and other details, energy assistance program, transportation assistance and support groups. The next Relay for Life meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 14. Other meeting dates are April 11, May 9 and May 31. All meetings begin at 5:30 p.m. at First State Community Bank in Warrenton. A meeting will be rescheduled if Warren County schools are closed for weather. For more information on this year’s event, contact Creech at 636-338-4181, Hase at 636-932-4883, or American Cancer Society staff member Katie Foster at 314-286-8183 or at katie.foster@cancer.org.