NORWICH – The 15th annual American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Chenango will kick-off with the Survivor Dinner and Opening Ceremony – at 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. respectively – tonight at the Chenango County Fairgrounds.

Thousands are expected to attend the overnight event, according to event chair Marie DeSarro, one that’s seen an ever-growing amount of support from cancer survivors, the families and friends of those who’ve been lost to the disease and the community as a whole.

As the American Cancer Society’s largest, nationwide fundraising movement, the local Relay For Life’s overall goal this year is $155,000. And while “we’re ahead of where we were last year at this point,” said DeSarro, “we still need a lot of support to hit our goal.”

DeSarro said she’s optimistic, however, that the community will pull through once again this year. Last year, Relay For Life of Chenango raised over $151,000 toward the fight against cancer.

“This community continues to step up, regardless of any increases to our event goal,” she added. “Chenango County has never let us down and we currently have 50 teams with over 650 participants.”

DeSarro said the reason the event continues to grow every year is simple – more and more people want to see a cure for cancer. With continued advancements in cancer research, people are becoming more aware, and they want to be part of that push, she added.

“Most people want to be a part of something special – that does something positive for others – and that’s what Relay For Life is all about,” said DeSarro. “It’s about showing people who are struggling through this terrible disease that there are others out there that support them and want to see them get better.”

Doreen Lamb – who received a bone marrow transplant in 2010 after being diagnosed with stage 4, non-Hotchkin’s lymphoma – is just one of hundreds who’ve seen the kind of support the American Cancer Society and Relay For Life provide. This year, she’ll walk in Relay for the first time – as a survivor.

“This is very important for us. Last year we didn’t know if I was going to survive and my outlook on life was pretty grim,” said Lamb, who’ll walk at Relay with her niece on Friday. “If it wasn’t for the American Cancer Society, I wouldn’t have survived.”

Lamb was just one cancer patient who – along with her family – utilized the services offered at the Rochester-based American Cancer Society Hope Lodge, one of many programs supported by Relay and the ACS. According to Relay For Life of Chenango media and promotions chair Wendie Hutchings, the lodge regularly serves county residents, relieving them of expensive hotel accommodations while receiving treatment at nearby hospitals.

Hutchings added that – in 2010 – the ACS helped over 400 Chenango County residents: 91 with financial assistance, seven with wigs, 40 with lodging, four through the ACS program Look Good ... Feel Better, nine through the Man to Man program and 49 through transportation.