Breakfast kicks off annual Ford City event

The Ford City Relay For Life Kickoff breakfast was Jan. 28 at the Ford Cliff fire hall. More than 150 people attended the event, featuring guest speaker State Rep. Jeff Pyle (R-Ford City), a cancer survivor who shared his story from diagnosis to the present and affirmed his ongoing committment to the Ford City event.

The relay is the signature fund-raising event of the American Cancer Society.

Many "Star Wars" characters will appear at Ford City's ninth annual Relay For Life scheduled June 17 and 18, father's Day weekend, at the Ford City Athletic Field.

Forty teams are registered. Anyone interested in starting a team should contact Marie Stivason at 724-545-7186.

Organizers said the 2005 relay was a "huge success." A total of 229 cancer survivors participated in a Survivor Celebration, and 1,800 luminarias were lit in memory of those who died, and in honor of those who have cancer.

The 56 teams in 2005 raised $544,750.

With a total of 188 relay sites in Pennsylvania in 2005, Ford City is ranked No. 4.

For information, visit www.fordcityrelayforlife.com.