Planning has already started for Johnstown's third annual Relay for Life, with meetings scheduled this week for committees and teams.

A committee meeting will be held beginning at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 5, at the Johnstown Council Chambers, followed by a team meeting at 7 p.m.

The 2009 Relay for Life raised $36,525 in the fight against cancer, and next year's goal is to raise $40,000 and recruit 50 teams.

"So far this year we have 13 teams registered (for 2010) with 57 participants and have raised $530," said Jackie Dismuke, media/publicity chair.

The 2010 Relay will be held June 25-26 at Chambers Stadium at Johnstown-Monroe High School.

The Johnstown Relay for Life committee is looking for volunteers for luminary chair, sponsorship chair, advocacy and secretary.

Committee members for 2010 include Mary Wiswell and Kelly Best, event co-chairpersons; Shelby Bauer, junior event chair; Barbara Knoepfler, survivorship chair; Jenni Peck, survivorship co-chair; Patch Wetzel, development chair; Tonya Furr, team recruitment/team mentor; Chris Betz, hospitality chair; Chris Richardson and Tom Richardson, on-line chairpersons; Mike Eltringham, logistics chair; Misty Bond and Allison Bond, entertainment chairpersons; Chareese Hastings, accounting chair; Amber Miller, income development coordinator from the American Cancer Society; and Dismuke, publicity.

As junior event chairperson, Bauer said she tries to communicate with the younger generation of Johnstown to make them aware of the disease as well as prevention.

Bauer, a Johnstown-Monroe senior, said she takes part in the Relay because her aunt has ovarian cancer, and because she wants to help find a cure for her own and future generations.

"For me, Relay is a big part of me," she said. "It brings overwhelming emotions because there are so many aspects to it. It's a party-type atmosphere with educational elements. What's most rewarding is to watch the sense of accomplishment for those walking during the beginning survivor's lap."

In addition to being a committee chairperson, Bauer is part of the SupaDo and Company team, made up of both students and adults.

Relay For Life is an 18-hour event that brings together teams from local businesses, schools, churches and families for fun, food, music, entertainment and a night under the stars, while team members take turns walking or running on a track.

The American Cancer Society is the leading nationwide community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy and service.

For information about Relay for Life or about cancer, call 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit the American Cancer Society Web site at www.cancer.org.

To register a team, volunteer or for more information about Johnstown's Relay for Life, visit main.acevents.org/site/TR.

Future Johnstown Relay meetings will be held on the first Thursday of every month with the committee meeting at 6 p.m. followed by the team meeting. Meetings are held in Johnstown Council Chambers.