While the established teams in the Becker “Relay for Life” organization work on fund raising and awareness issues year round, the pace picks up as spring approaches and the date for the annual fund-raising marathon for the American Cancer Society gets closer.

The annual “Kick-Off” meeting took place on Tue., Feb. 7, with subsequent meetings held at 7 p. m. on the first Tuesday of each month, according to Fran Seeley, who is co-chairing the 2012 event with Bev Gruber. The Becker “Relay for Life” marathon is scheduled to begin at 6 p. m. on Fri., July 13 at the outdoor track adjacent to the Becker High School field house. Becker “Relay” meetings are held in the Becker Professional Bldg., 12390 Sherburne Ave.

An added emphasis for the 2012 event is individual participation, Seeley said, as area residents do not have to be a member of a team to attend the event and walk in the all-night marathon. As the Relay grows each year, more and more tents and

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city with music, games, food and activities that go on throughout the night until the 6 a. m. finale of the event. Seeley noted that she would “love to see the infield area of the track full of tents” as families came out to take part in the unique event.

Fundraisers The 2011 Relay raised a

record $124K in Becker, well above the projected target, and teams are already working to try and better that amount this year. “The Campers” team is selling cookbooks this year, Seeley said, with recipes dedicated to loved ones who have battled cancer.

The “Survivors for a Cure” team is hosting a special Sunday evening buffet fund raiser at the Blue Moon Grille in Becker on March 18 from 4-8 p. m. Tickets are $12.50 for the all-you-can-eat affair, which will feature a bake sale, silent auction and door prizes. Contact Jean Johnson at (320) 248-2615 of the Blue Moon

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