BROOKVILLE — It brings men, women and children together for celebration and remembrance of those we love affected by cancer. It raises funds for the fight against cancer; a disease that will affect one in three Americans in their lifetime, accounting for more than 1.5 million cases this year. It celebrates life, remembers those lost and empowers others to fight back. What is it? It’s the American Cancer Society Relay For Life, and it’s happening Saturday, May 4, at Brookville High School.

Opening ceremonies will begin at 6:30 p.m. with the survivor lap, then caregivers lap, and then it goes all evening with people walking in honor or memory of their loved ones and friends. The Brookville High School Relay for Life team will kick it off with the local girls scouts doing the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem and opening ceremonies. The luminaria ceremony will be held at 9:15 p.m. to honor loved ones.

The American Cancer Society Relay For Life is one important way to make a difference in the fight against cancer. This year, millions of Relay participants in thousands of local communities across the country will raise millions of dollars to further the American Cancer Society’s mission of saving lives and creating more birthdays by helping people get well, helping people stay well, finding cures and fighting back. So what happens when you support American Cancer Society Relay For Life? Here are just a few examples:

•Helping you stay well. Finding cancer early can mean the difference between life and death. The Society helps you take steps to prevent cancer or detect it at its earliest and provide the most up-to-date information about how to reduce your cancer risk by healthy lifestyle choices. Contact 1-800-227-22345 or cancer.org for more information.

•Helping you get well. Having cancer is hard. Finding help shouldn’t be. The Society is in your corner, around the clock to guide you through your cancer experience. The Society can help patients and their families make informed decisions about care, find moral support from others who have been there and offer practical solutions to daily challenges.

•Finding cures. The Society funds and conducts groundbreaking research that helps scientists understand cancer’s causes, determine how best to prevent it, and discover new ways to cure it. The Society is the largest private funder of cancer research. Fighting Back. Cancer is not just a health issue, but a political issue. The Society advocates for people to have access to critical cancer screenings and follow-up treatment — regardless of income. Some examples include: increasing government funding for cancer research, establishing smoke-free policies, and improving access to affordable, quality healthcare.

“The American Cancer Society spends the funds raised through Relay For Life on cancer-fighting efforts that benefit everyone in the community. 72 cents of every dollar goes directly to fight cancer through research, prevention, early detection, and free patient services. Twenty-one cents of every dollar goes to mission-critical funds, honors survivors and remembers loved ones. Only 7 cents of every dollar is used for general costs and overhead,” said Jenni Phillips, team advisor for Brookville High School.

This year, the American Cancer Society Relay For Life at Brookville High School will take place on Saturday, May 4, in front of the high school, 1 Blue Pride Drive, beginning at 6:30 p.m. with closing ceremonies at 9:30 p.m.

For more information or to donate to the local Brookville High School team or get more details, call 937-833-6761 and ask for Jenni Phillips, or visit https://secure.acsevents.org/ search Brookville High School and donate online.