A ceremony marking the kickoff of this year's Leelanau County Relay for Life will be held Wednesday, March 19 at the Silvertree Deli in Suttons Bay.

"Painting the Pinkie Purple" is the theme for the 24-hour relay scheduled for Aug. 1 and 2 at Suttons Bay School, where organizers hope to celebrate those who have battled cancer, remember those who have been lost to the disease, and fight back to put an end to cancer.

Relay For Life is designed as a fun-filled overnight event to celebrate survivors and raise money for research and programs of the American Cancer Society. During the event, teams of people will take turns walking or running laps. Each team tries to keep at least one team member on the track at all times.

The committee hopes to recruit at least 15 teams to participate, celebrate at least 30 survivors, and raise at least a net $16,000 during the 24-hour event.

Three colors used extensively by the cancer society are blue, red and purple. Blue is for remembering, red signifies fighting back, and purple illustrates celebration.

The public is welcome to attend the 6 p.m. kickoff, at which businesses that have already signed on as corporate sponsors of the event, and the first team that used the local committee’s website to sign up a team, will be recognized. The website is www.events.cancer.org/rflleelanaumi click on "find event" for more details.

It will also include a luminaria ceremony to remember all those who have been lost to the disease, and information about how to participate.