By Anne Hershewe

news@joplinglobe.com

Those involved locally in the American Cancer Society say the organization has not been immune to the effects of the recession.

“With the economy being so down and everything, the needs of our cancer patients are really growing,” said Joette Blades, community coordinator of the ACS in Joplin.

And it is that decline in the bottom line that is boosting the emphasis on the organization’s major fund-raiser, the annual Relay for Life, scheduled for Saturday in Joplin.

The 18-hour relay helps raise money for cancer treatments and research while also celebrating the lives of people who have battled with cancer.

Blades said participants in the thousands are expected this year.

This year’s goal is $100,000. The event raised $87, 000 last year.

The relay will be staged at Fred G. Hughes Stadium at Missouri Southern State University, and the ACS promises a day and night filled with music, other entertainment, food, games and a silent auction. There will also be kid-friendly options such as a bounce house and dunk tank.

The fund-raiser will begin at noon Saturday with a ceremony, and ends with an awards ceremony at 6 a.m. Sunday.

The afternoon events will include live music and the “Queen of the Relay” competition.

The relay will have its traditional Survival Lap for cancer survivors at 7 p.m. on Saturday, and the luminaria service, which remembers those who lost their battle with cancer, will begin at 9:30 p.m.

To keep the relay walkers entertained and active throughout the long night, the ACS has slated an array of activities, including Zumba at 10 p.m., live music by Velvet Poker Dogs at midnight, Guitar Hero at 1:30 a.m., and karaoke at 3:30 a.m.

Blades said the community is what makes the relay worthwhile.

“We really hope the community comes out and supports us,” she said. “And that’s what makes it a success.”