I don’t know too many of us who’d be jumping out of our seats to be in a relay race, but the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life is a different matter.

“Because it’s called a relay, it seems daunting, but it’s really not a relay,” said Denise Lippe, Fenton’s community relations coordinator. “No one is expected to walk the entire 12 hours. The event is really about coming together to help fund research and programs for cancer patients.”

Already, 241 people have signed up for the Bensenville/Wood Dale Relay for Life on Friday, June 13, at Fenton High School, 1000 W. Green St., Bensenville. These 43 teams have raised almost $13,000 for the ACS.

“It’s really exploding this year,” Lippe said. “This is the most (teams) we’ve had sign up early, so it’s really exciting that this is shaping up to be our biggest year yet.”

And there’s still one week to go. Plus, registration is also accepted during the event.

The opening ceremony, where cancer survivors walk the track alone, will start at 6 p.m. At 9 p.m., luminaria bags will be lit around the track to honor loved ones. At 6 a.m. Saturday morning, June 14, a closing ceremony will conclude this overnight event.

“Those moments make me stop and really realize why we’re doing this,” Lippe said. “To think about all the cancer survivors and all those who have passed, I’ve found it can be really emotional. The luminaria ceremony is especially touching.”

This year’s event includes an Olympic theme, “Going for the GOAL-D,” with the “goal-d” being a cure for cancer. The overall theme for Relay for Life is “celebrate, remember and fight back.”

All ages are invited to participate. Teams are given their own “campsite,” where they often set up tents and lawn chairs, pull out games and bring snacks. Besides walking around the track and campsite fun, the night will be filled with music, wacky races, Frisbee games, bags tournaments, food and more.

“The first year was amazing because we just didn’t know what was going to happen,” Lippe said. “Last year was great because we kind of knew what to expect, and this year is going to be our best yet.”

Last year, 28 teams — 250 to 300 people — raised $59,000. During the first year, approximately 200 people participated and more than $41,000 was raised.

“We’ve done so awesome in the past, and this year, since we’re expecting more people, I think we’re going to raise even more money than ever before,” Lippe said. “Relay for Life is a popular event for the ACS. This is our third year, and now we have a committee that works on it, so we’ve been able to get the word out more and people are remembering our annual race.”

More than 3.5 million people in 4,800 communities nationwide participate in Relay for Life. Events are in more than 600 communities over 19 countries.

Donations  are used to by the ACS to fund research, education, local patient services and other programs.

“Everybody has been touched by cancer, one way or another,” Lippe said. “This is a fun evening that’s a way for the whole family to celebrate, remember and fight back. Relay for Life doesn’t take a lot of effort to do, and it makes a big difference.”

For information or to register, contact Lippe at (630) 860-8621 or lippe@fenton100.org or visit www.relayforlifebensenvillewooddale.com.

“It’s not too late to get involved,” Lippe said. “We’re still looking for teams, donations, volunteers; people can still purchase remembrance luminarias. We want everyone — families, seniors, students, everyone — to come out and join us in this fight against cancer.”

Border Bounding is a weekly column appearing on Thursdays. Ideas and items for the column can be to e-mailed to hipychk73@yahoo.com.