CANCER SOCIETY'S 24-HOUR RELAY THIS WEEKEND.

Byline: Daily News

LANCASTER - Some 1,200 people are expected to participate this weekend in the American Cancer Society's annual Relay For Life to raise awareness and money for the fight against cancer.

Beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday, participants will spend 24 hours - in shifts - walking around the track at Quartz Hill High School.

``The relay is made up from all walks of life, people from the community. Doctors participate, right down to families,'' said Cindy Grosser, manager of community services income development for the American Cancer Society in Antelope Valley. ``It's fun. We really, really enjoy doing it.''

The event kicks off at 9 a.m. with Palmdale High School student Tyler Heckathorn singing the national anthem.

A special ``survivor's lap'' - of people who have survived cancer - will start the relay.

There is still time for relay teams of 10 to 15 members to register for the event. Members will take turns walking around the track for the 24-hour duration.

The registration fee is $7.50 per person. Team members who raise $100 in pledges will receive a goody bag and an event T-shirt.

``We want them to have one member of their team on the track for the duration,'' said Grosser.

Water will be provided for walkers. Schooners restaurant will offer a spaghetti meal for lunch and a dinner of hamburgers or hot dogs for $2 per meal.

At 7:30 p.m. Saturday there will be a special luminary ceremony to honor cancer survivors and to remember those who did not survive.

Ed Mileham, a laryngectomy patient, will be the guest speaker. The Palmdale High School Chamber Choir will sing.

Last year 2,000 people showed up for the ceremony.

For more information on the event or to register, call the American Cancer Society at [phone], Ext. 3.