Thursday is the 2021 nationwide kickoff for Relay For Life and World Cancer Day, and Relay For Life of South Mississippi wants the public to join a live social media kickoff.

The virtual event will take place at 7 p.m. online at bit.ly/Relay2021Kickoff.

“Our community has done so much to continue the fight for a world without cancer and we can’t quit,” said Stacie Cross, RFLSM community development manager.

“I believe our ‘Lights of Hope’ drive-by luminaria ceremony we did on Storm Avenue last April will be featured nationally during the live broadcast.”

Relay For Life has a new look but the same cause, Cross said.

“We are looking for Power in Purple Ambassadors,” she said. “Candidates can be anyone who has a passion for community and a commitment to helping us lead the fight for a world without cancer.”

For more information on being an ambassador, contact Cross at Stacie.cross@cancer.org or 770-893-7074.

Anyone who wants to be part of a Relay team is also encouraged to sign up at www.relayforlife.org/southms beginning Thursday. Those who register prior through Feb. 16 will be entered in the Sign Up and Save Lives Sweepstakes to win an Apple Watch, Apple Ear Pods or Kendra Scott jewelry set.

“We need 15 ambassadors and 10 teams,” Cross said. “We also have great sponsorship opportunities this year that will give local businesses not only the recognition on a local level, but on a regional level covering 10 counties and their events, as well as our main event.”

The community is also encouraged to wear purple Thursday in honor of World Cancer Day and to use the hashtag #wearpurplechallenge if photos are posted to social media.

“We want Lincoln County and Brookhaven to continue to shine a ray of hope in the fight against cancer,” said Cross.