The American Cancer Society will host Relay for Life of Lincoln County Friday to raise money and awareness for the fight against cancer. The event will take place in Exchange Club Park, starting at 4:30 p.m.

The schedule will be as follows:

• Survivor registration – 4:30 p.m.

• Survivor reception – 5 p.m.

• Opening ceremony – 6 p.m.

• Luminaria ceremony – 9 p.m.

• Awards ceremony – 10 p.m.

Cindy Ashmore, Relay For Life community manager, said cancer is the second leading cause of death in Lincoln County.

“I don’t know that I’ve ever met anybody that doesn’t know somebody that has passed away from cancer,” Ashmore said. “It’s everywhere, especially here in Southwest Mississippi.”

Ashmore said the importance of cancer research in Mississippi became evident when the American Cancer Society released new statistics.

An estimated 16,260 new cases of cancer will be diagnosed in Mississippi in 2016. Lincoln County will see an estimated 166 new cases, she said.

“Everything that we raise through Relay benefits the American Cancer Society,” Ashmore said. “It goes toward research and programs throughout the state.”

Teams are usually comprised of families, businesses, churches or civic and community organizations.

For more information about Relay For Life, contact Ashmore at 601-384-4148 or visit www.relayforlife.org/lincolnms.