By Catherine O’Hara, REVIEW STAFF

The Flamborough Relay for Life is an unforgettable night that helps raise tens of thousands of dollars for cancer research as well as support programs and services. But putting on the all-night event, which typically draws hundreds of participants, and ensuring its success, is no easy feat.

Committed volunteers have already teamed up to get the ball rolling on the June 15-16 Canadian Cancer Society fundraiser. Now, they are turning to the community for help.

The 14-member Flamborough Relay for Life committee, led by chair Sharon Hall, is looking to fill a few gaps, including the positions of food and beverages coordinator, head of ceremonies, communications specialist and sponsorship co-chair.

“We’ve got some really great people on board,” said Hall, who is putting the call out to local residents interested in becoming involved in Flamborough’s seventh instalment of the Relay to join the committee.

“We are even encouraging people to come in pairs and co-chair together so it’s not as daunting,” said Hall.

The responsibilities of the vacant positions vary greatly.

The individual who takes on the role of food and beverages coordinator will direct and manage all food offerings and donations of refreshments.

Working alongside Kim Gibson, the sponsorship co-chair will promote the event and encourage businesses to support the cause.

“It’s a multi-faceted (position) in some ways because we have everything from $100 metre sponsorships to $5,000 tent sponsorships,” explained Hall.

And the return on investment, she noted, is solid. “It’s good value for recognition.”

Creativity is key when it comes to filling the role of ceremonies chair. The interested party will help create and manage the opening and closing ceremonies. With lots of time between the formalities, the leader of ceremonies will be afforded the opportunity to design many aspects of the event, including the possibility of inviting a guest speaker, cancer survivor or medical researcher to address the crowd.

“There’s lots of leeway on that one,” noted Hall.

Organizers of the 7th annual Flamborough Relay for Life, which will again be held at Waterdown’s Memorial Park, are looking to enhance participants’ overall experience. While the event has generated lots of support from the community since its inception, Hall wants to build on its success.

Last year, the all-night fundraiser attracted 20 teams and raised $66,000 for the Canadian Cancer Society. The organizing committee is now upping the ante, hoping to see 30 teams turn out and collect $68,000 for the cause. In order to reach this goal, Hall says, teams must register as soon as possible.

To entice individuals to sign up early for this summer’s Relay, the committee is planning to offer “privileges” and “benefits” to the first 10 teams that register. Perks, said Hall, will include having first dibs on campsites.

The Relay committee is also looking to challenge a new set of teams to take part in the event. Church and service groups, members of dance studios as well as corporate teams are encouraged to sign up.

With roughly five months to go until the big night, “you’ve got all that time to plan any events,” said Hall of a variety of fundraising activities to help collect team and personal pledges, including garage and bake sales.

The Relay wouldn’t be complete without the many survivors who turn out to take part in the survivors’ lap and remind participants and volunteers of the importance of supporting the Canadian Cancer Society’s endeavours to fund a cure for the disease. “That’s the reason why we are doing this,” said Hall. “We want people to be survivors. We want more survivors and more survivors means what we are doing is working.”

The 2012 Flamborough Relay for Life kick starts at 7 p.m. on Friday, June 15 and wraps up at 7 a.m. on Saturday, June 16.

To register a team or to sign up to take part in the survivors’ lap, visit www.relayforlife.ca and select Flamborough as the 2012 event location. To join the organizing committee, contact Hall at sharhall@cogeco.ca.