WALES — Oak Hill High School will host a Mini Relay For Life from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 17. The community is welcome to join the event to fight back against cancer. The relay is being organized by Oak Hill High School senior, Kayla Smart.

When asked why she wanted to bring the event to her school, Kayla wrote, “When informed last spring that I should start thinking about a topic for my senior project, I had no idea what I was going to pick, not to mention where to even begin. Over the summer I became aware my Nini, who had been fighting cancer for a period of time, was now back in the hospital and not doing well.

“It was only a month before that she was out on the boat with my family and having fun. Now I was sitting by her bedside, holding her hand; praying for a miracle. I decided then that I wanted to do something for her, to let her know and to let the world know that I have hope for a cure.”

She said, “Relay For Life is my way of giving back to not only Nini, but to those who are courageously fighting, who have won the battle and for those who have sadly lost their fight. Putting out awareness to my community and peers is my hope that they too will understand that cancer affects and touches everyone in some way. By raising money and coming together with Relay we will continue to bring assurance to these people through fundraising, prayer and new research.”

The American Cancer Society Relay For Life is an overnight event that brings together people from all walks of life to raise funds for a cancer cure.

A Mini Relay For Life is a smaller version of three to six hours. Teams get together and raise money, walk the track, participate in games and listen to speakers.

To participate at Oak Hill High School , go to the cafeteria, 56 School Road, between 2:30 and 5:30 p.m. Thursday. Send donations to Melissa Cushman, Mini Relay For Life of Oak Hill, 1 Bowdoin Mill Island, Ste. 300, Topsham, ME 04086. All donations support the American Cancer Society.

The American Cancer Society combines an unyielding passion with nearly a century of experience to save lives and end suffering from cancer. As a global grassroots force of more than three million volunteers, we fight for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. As the nation’s largest non-governmental investor in cancer research, contributing about $3.5 billion, we turn what we know about cancer into what we do. As a result, more than 11 million people in America who have had cancer and countless more who have avoided it will be celebrating birthdays this year. To learn more about us or to get help, call us anytime, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.