Relay for Life of Port Chester & Rye Brook Just Days Away

With days to go until Saturday's Relay for Life event at Port Chester Middle School, the number of expected participants has grown to 502, with 88 teams expected to participate in the all-night event, according to the event's website.

Another significant number is 100. To be specific, May 22nd was American Cancer Society's 100th birthday.

What's more, the $60,000 fundraising goal for the Port Chester and Rye Brook Relay event has been met and exceeded, according to the event's Facebook page. The original goal of $60,000 came and went and the current total is estimated to be $75,534.85.

According to Relay for Life Manager Jaimie Copperman, "What has been so incredible about these communities so far is how they have embraced the Relay spirit. This is the first time many of the participants have heard about Relay For Life and they have been fundraising, recruiting team members, and promoting the event for several months."

Copperman said that several local schools have gotten involved this year so the organizers anticipate a significant youth turnout. She added that most of the top fundraisers are students. "It's so wonderful to see elementary, middle, and high schoolers coming together to fight cancer and help others."

Here is a schedule of the overnight event Sat., June 15:

• Survivor Reception - dinner for all cancer survivors & their caregivers -Saturday, Survivor Tent - 6:00PM 
• Opening Ceremony - Survivor Speech, Awards & Recognition, Survivor Lap, Caregiver Lap, Team Lap - Main Stage - 7:00PM
• Luminaria Ceremony - Ceremony to remember those lost and affected by cancer - Main Stage/Track - 10:00PM 
• Fight Back Ceremony - Make a pledge to fight cancer year round, cancer trivia games - Main Stage - 12:30AM 
• Closing Ceremony - Closing Remarks, Final fundraising totals - Main Stage - 6:30AM