Between the hours of 6 p.m. on Friday and 6 a.m. on Saturday at Heritage Park in Foley, local residents will be doing their part to fight the deadly disease known as cancer.

Teams of residents will participate in the 12-hour walk-a-thon event known nationally as “Relay for Life” and locally as “Relay for Life of South Baldwin County.” Others will be at the park to either partake in the walking or show support for the participants.

The event, which started nationally 28 years ago, can have symbolic meaning to a cancer patient or to those who know or knew a cancer victim.

“The walk symbolizes a cancer patient’s battle with cancer,” Zana Price, co-chair of the relay, said. “It starts with the darkest, coldest times of the night when they are going through treatment. Then when the sun comes up, there is renewed hope. That is why it is 12 hours. It is a mini-representation of a cancer patient’s battle with cancer.”

There are many local residents who are or have been affected by cancer, Price said, and that means the relay has a direct impact on the local area.

“Our relay is so close to the people of Foley, Magnolia Springs, Bon Secour, Elberta, Lillian, Marlow and Miflin,” Price said. “We are all doing this for the same reason. Even if people are not involved in the relay, they certainly have someone in their life that has been affected by this disease and they can help out in some way. The more people we have involved, the more the word gets out and the more people we have to fight this dreadful disease and reach our goal of a cure.

“I became involved at the start after a close friend lost her 10-year battle with breast cancer. To watch my friend go through that was the most devastating thing I had ever witnessed. The worst part was I felt helpless. When the relay came to Foley, I jumped right in because this is something I could actively do.”

The event is a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, with proceeds going towards cancer research and the society’s programs and services. This will be the 16th annual relay in South Baldwin. Through the first 15 years, participants have raised almost $800,000.

“It is 40 percent for research and 60 percent for programs with the society,” Price said. “It all stays within the community.”

The minimum size of teams is eight people, but teams can have more, Price said. The cost to register is $100 per team, and each team member is encouraged to raise an additional $100.

“Typically, a team will raise anywhere from $800-$1,000 (separate from the registration fee),” Price said, “and there are awards for the team that raises the most money and the individual that raises the most money.”

Last year’s event raised more than $64,000, and Price hopes this year’s relay raises the bar.

“The goal is $77,000 this year. We currently have 30 teams, but we are still looking for teams to participate,” Price said on Friday. “Our goal is 33 teams. The newest team, Foley Middle School, has already met their goal of raising $1,000. It’s very cool that they have gotten involved and received that kind of support.”

The event is not just for people who signed up and registered on a team. It is for “the whole community to come out and support,” Price said, and residents can play a part in battling cancer whether they join in the walking or donate money.

“I’ve received emails from people asking if they can come out even if they aren’t on teams,” Price said. “They can donate money. They can walk if they want to.”

The theme of this year’s relay is “Score-a-Cure for Cancer,” which means a lot of the activities at the event will be associated to games and contests.

“There will be food and children’s games, and there will be a lot of contests,” Price said. “There will be tug-of-war rope games and talent shows, among other activities for people.”

Additionally, the event will include live entertainment.

“This relay is for the area of Magnolia Springs to Lillian and Summerdale to Bon Secour,” Price said, noting there is a relay for Gulf Shores and Orange Beach on April 29 and annual relays in Bay Minette, Central Baldwin County and for the Eastern Shore.

The sponsors for this year’s South Baldwin relay includes: Tanger Outlet; South Baldwin Regional Medical Center; Riviera Utilities; CenturyLink; the city of Foley; Trax Tires; Walmart; and Elberta Elementary School.

The event began nationally in Washington, D.C., when a local doctor spent 24 hours circling a track, and friends and patients donated $25 each to his cause. Since that day, the event has blossomed into an annual, national phenomenon with more than 4,800 relays held across the country and around three million residents participating to raise funds for cancer research and programs.

There also will be a cancer survivors reception at 5 p.m. on Friday at the Foley Performing Arts Association in downtown Foley, Price said.

For more information or to register a team, visit the event website at www.relayforlife.org/southbaldwin, call (251) 942-4241 or email zqueenoffoley@gmail.com.