Courtesy Photo­Image Gordy Klatt

This year’s annual Relay for Life will have extra meaning.

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The annual Relay of Lincoln County will be held Aug. 4 at Adams Middle School. The national founder of the Relay, Dr. Gordy Klatt, was recently diagnosed with stomach cancer, proving that cancer does not discriminate.

Klatt, a Tacoma colorectal surgeon, wanted to enhance the income of his local American Cancer Society office in the mid-1980s and show support for all of his patients who battled cancer. He decided to personally raise money for the fight by running a marathon.

Klatt spent a grueling 24 hours circling the track, running more than 83 miles.

As he circled the track those 24 hours, Klatt thought about how others could take part in his mission to fight cancer, Relay organizers say. Klatt envisioned a 24-hour team relay event that could raise more money on a wider scale to fight cancer.

His vision became the national Relay For Life, with more than 5,200 events in the United States, raising more than $4.5 billion.

Because cancer never sleeps, Relays are overnight events that last as long as 24 hours. Relayers do not have to walk all night, but each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the event.

For 28 years, Relay For Life has provided inspiration and hope for millions of cancer survivors and caregivers, according to an American Cancer Society statement.

To enroll a team of two or more, log on to www.relayforlife.org/lincolncone. Friends, families, co-workers, even strangers can come together to help celebrate, remember and fight back against cancer.

For more information on ways to get involved in “the Relay” from volunteering, forming a team, hosting a fundraiser or a sponsorship contact Kirsten Parker at (308) 539-3546.