By Susan Bromley

Staff Writer

Ortonville-It’s time to rally against cancer.

The 2016 Relay for Life of Brandon/Ortonville is planned for 10 a.m.-midnight, June 18 at the Brandon Fletcher Intermediate School, 300 South St.

“We are crossing our fingers for a beautiful June day, not too hot and not too cold,” said Mary Woods, one of the event organizers.

Rain or shine, however, she and nearly 100 other registered participants will be at the school, walking laps to raise money to fight back against cancer.

This is the 9th year the community has participated in the American Cancer Society’s signature fundraising event.

Woods had 15 teams committed to having members walking a track at the school as of this past Tuesday, but the entire community is invited to come out in support of the battle against cancer, regardless of whether they have joined a team.

This year’s theme is “Road Trip” and teams will have booths for favorite destinations, including Disney World, Glacier National Park and even Hawaii. There will be themed laps including a Hollywood paparazzi lap with photos, a 1950s themed lap, a ’60s and ’70s lap, ’80s lap, Roaring ’20s, beach vacation lap, toga party, camping in Brandon, as well as the annual Survivors Lap at 11:30 a.m. and an emotional Luminaria Lap after dark.

Entertainment is planned including the Cover Bandits band, which will play from noon-1:30 p.m., and a disc jockey. There will also be a Zumba class.

The car show will return, with classic vehicles as well as motorcycles, and there will be a Relay Recess Recognition, too, in honor of local students who raised more than $2,500 for the cause.

So far, more than $13,000 has been raised for the 2016 Relay, with a goal of $37,000.

Woods, whose late parents both battled cancer and who has lost many friends to the disease, is hoping many members of the community turnout to join her in the fight against cancer.

“I relay so we can take care of it and make it manageable and I don’t have to cry anymore,” she said. “Our committee is the most dedicated, wonderful group of people. I love them dearly, they are passionate about this cause and they want to see this go away. Relay is a fun event and it’s uplifting, and also somber. Come out join us and help us try to beat this disease.”

For more information, email brandonortonvillerelay@gmail.com.