The 2014 Relay for Life campaign has officially begun in Dawson County.

The local arm of the American Cancer Society held its kick-off dinner Sept. 19 at the Dawson County Board of Education Professional Development Center.

"This is a life-changing event that helps communities across the country celebrate the lives of people with cancer, remember loved ones who have lost the battle and help the ones who are still fighting," said Beth Covington, 2014 Relay for Life chair for Dawson County.

This year's theme will be "A Carnival of Hope."

Plans call for carnival style games, food, clowns, balloons and other sights one might see at a carnival.
Last year, Dawson County raised more than $51,000 for the American Cancer Society.

"By helping with Relay for Life, you are helping the American Cancer Society save lives and helping people get well, stay well and find the cure for cancer," Covington said.

"We are all fighting a battle because there is so much work to be done. We've all been touched by cancer and many of us have lost someone we love to this disease."

Covington says she has big plans for this year's Relay and the events leading up to it.

"This year, we still have all the supplies we need to help fundraising, but this year we're focusing on only using what we need."

One of the goals for this year is to keep costs low and supply waste down.

All teams are encouraged to register online this year. For the month of September, teams who register online are given a half-price rate of $5 per person instead of the usual $10. When registering online, teams must type in the code "relay" for the discounted price.

Also, as part of the waste and cost reduction effort, only teams that raise at least $100 per person will receive a T-shirt this year.

The 2014 Relay for Life event will be April 25, at Veteran's Memorial Park.

As of the kickoff event, a goal for 2014 had not been set.

For more information, contact Covington at (706) 974-9771 or visit www.dawsoncountyrelay.org.