Everyone has a special time that they recall in their lives and more often than not, that special time often has a soundtrack to it. With that in mind, the Cherokee County RFL committee picked a theme suggested anonymously by one of their own committee members who thought that the idea of song would be a theme that the 2009 Relay could embrace and make their own.

The tag line "Music inspires us, memories sustain us, and the fight against cancer unites us" has been adopted by the committee and was submitted by Ann Kelly, longtime RFL volunteer, who currently serves as the Accounting Chair for the Relay. When you think about music, there are all types and genres that can be used. It offers such a vast group of ideas that it is almost limitless. Music may very well be the most powerful communication medium in our society.

Teams can pick from songs, groups, albums or CD's or just about anything related to music and song and adapt it to their own interpretation as it relates to the idea of preventing or fighting cancer. Also, it can be very meaningful as a celebration of life for survivors and a memoriam for those that have lost their battles with cancer. Teams will be able to adopt their song or music selection and create campsite decorations related to that choice. It will be such fun on the night of Relay For Life on April 24, 2009 to walk through the event and see all of the many different ideas that have been adopted. It is a theme that is very original and the committee has not seen it used in the East Texas area.

The theme will be highlighted at the Kick-Off party scheduled for Monday, January 19th, 2009 from 5:45 PM until 7:00 PM. The Kick-Off will be held at the Cherokee County Co-op Building on Hwy 69 between Rusk and Jacksonville.

Anyone who is interested in becoming involved in the 2009 Cherokee County Relay For Life in any capacity is encouraged to attend this kick-off. The RFL Committee will share this year's event goals and introduce other resources to assist teams and volunteers in contributing to the success of the event. Teams registration will also begin on this evening and points will be awarded to teams for attending the Kick-Off.

For more information on the 2009 Cherokee County Relay For Life, contact Chairperson Cynthia Kline by e-mail at cherokeerelayforlife@ yahoo.com or by phone at 903-683- 7483 or 903-795-3604.