The American Cancer Society’s annual Relay For Life will take place May 10 in Warren and will feature teams and individual participants from Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties.

Jennifer Snodgrass, senior development manager for the society’s northeast region, said in past years, the three counties had separate relays, but this year the teams and participants from Columbiana and Mahoning counties were invited to the Trumbull event at the St. Demetrios Community Center grounds on Atlantic Street NE.

“It was easier to have one main relay event in the area, which will honor cancer survivors and remember those who have lost their battle to cancer,” Snodgrass said.

She said the relay has partnered with the Howland Farmers Market, which will have vendors on site.

The St. Demetrios Community Center provides space both indoors and outside, so the May 10 event will take place regardless of the weather.

Phil O’Hara, relay chairman, said lunch will be provided for survivors and caregivers. Ben Rhoads, manager of Outback Steakhouse in Niles, has been providing the meal since 2002.

THE EVENT

Snodgrass said 20 teams are scheduled to participate. A basket raffle will be featured.

“The teams do their own fundraising both before, during and after the relay,” she said.

Snodgrass said efforts are being made to make the relay similar to those before the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, which caused some relay events to be canceled or scaled back.

“We are trying to build the relays back up. They may be smaller, but their purpose remains the same — to help those battling cancer,” she said.

Teams set their own goals of what to raise for the society, and the methods they choose.

Snodgrass said proceeds will be used by the society for programs and services for those battling cancer. In addition to raising funds for cancer research, the event also raises awareness, Snodgrass said.

“The American Cancer Society Relay For Life brings together passionate supporters who embody the American Cancer Society’s vision to end cancer as we know it, for everyone,” Snodgrass said.

WHAT FUNDS

ARE USED FOR

Snodgrass said funds raised will help improve the lives of people with cancer and their families through advocacy, research and patient support to ensure everyone has an opportunity to prevent, detect, treat and survive cancer.

She said Relay For Life has become the world’s largest volunteer-based fundraising event.

Some of the programs that funding support are Road to Recovery, which is materials and services for cancer patients as they battle cancer, including free rides to and from treatment locations, and Hope Lodge, where cancer patients and their caregivers can stay when patients receive treatment.

Snodgrass said Trumbull County residents are among the highest users of the Cleveland Hope Lodge, which provides free lodging and a “home away from home” environment for individuals going through cancer treatment and their caregivers.

Snodgrass said she has heard from cancer patients at past relay events that they enjoy spending time with others battling some form of cancer.

“They can relate to one another and know they are not alone,” she said.

At the Relay For Life, survivors are recognized during the survivor’s lap.

The luminaria ceremony honors every life touched by cancer — a loved one who died, someone currently battling the disease or a survivor. The luminarias will be decorated with names and messages.

The public is invited to attend the event and take part.

“With the support from the community, we are able to build up the relay,” Snodgrass said.

THIS YEAR’S GOAL

O’Hara, who has been involved with Relay For Life for 25 years, said this year’s goal is to raise $70,000.

A cancer survivor and from a family of those who have battled cancer, O’Hara is a member of the HBK CPAs and Consultants of Canfield team, and said the relays have done well for many years.

It was in 2020, during the coronavirus pandemic, that the relays took a hit, O’Hara said. They were canceled or scaled back, and then when they returned in 2021, they were drive-thru events.

“We are in the rebuilding phase, focused on community involvement,” he said. “They will likely never be as big as they once were, but the goals are the same.”

O’Hara said the reasons for holding the relays, regardless of where they are or how many attend, is to raise funds and awareness for the American Cancer Society, which does research to find a cure.

Fundraising for 2025 runs through the end of August, and then teams and individuals can begin fundraising for 2026.

Relay For Life will take place May 10 at St. Demetrios Community Center, Atlantic Street, Warren. The schedule of events is:

10 a.m. — Farmers market opens

10:30 a.m. — Cornhole tournament begins

11 a.m. — Food trucks arrive

11:30 a.m. — Survivors lap

Noon — Survivors and caregiver lunch

1 p.m. — Farmers market closes

2 p.m. — Food trucks depart

2:30 p.m. — Luminaria and closing ceremony