Staff Report</p><p>The Chowchilla Relay for Life will host a community rally tomorrow, Jan. 26, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.</p><p>The event will be held at Corsaro's Pizza, located at 1702 West Robertson Blvd. in Chowchilla.</p><p>The purpose of the rally is to start planning the 2012 Relay for Life event. Chowchilla's Relay for Life will be held on June 16-17. Those interested in finding out what Relay for Life is all about are encouraged to attend.</p><p>"Please join us for an evening of refreshments, fun and prizes," said 2012 Event Chair Paula Hansen. The 2012 Relay for Life Committee will also be introduced.</p><p>The American Cancer Society Relay for Life mobilizes communities throughout the world to celebrate survivors, remember loved ones and raise money to support the American Cancer Society's mission to eliminate cancer.</p><p>According to the American Cancer Society, the funds raised through the relay enable the Cancer Society to help people to stay well and get well through patient services, to find cures through research and to fight back through advocacy.</p><p>With cancer prevention and early detection education programs, free services for cancer patients, like Road to Recovery, which provides free transportation to treatment, breakthrough cancer research funded by society grants, and support for new laws to help fight cancer and increase access to quality health care, the American Cancer Society is doing everything possible to create a world with more birthdays.</p><p>The American Cancer Society reported the Relay Nations raised $1 billion in 17 years, $2 billion in 20 years and has raised $4 billion to fight cancer since Dr. Gordy Klatt started Relay for Life 28 years ago in Tucoma, Wash.</p><p>The society also reported that in 2011, California reported 16,900 relay teams participated in Relay for Life, with 214,572 participants. Around 32,275 survivors were involved with relays throughout California and $31.7 million was raised.</p><p>"California is No. 1 in the United States for funds raised to fight cancer," reported the American Cancer Society.</p><p>Twenty-four teams with 212 participants raised $47,245 at last year's Relay for Life event. There were 82 survivors at the event.</p><p>Hansen reported the cumulative total funds raised to fight cancer over the last nine years is $495,000.</p><p>This year the Chowchilla Relay for Life will celebrate its 10th anniversary. "Our goals for "Birthday Celebration" in 2012 are: 30 teams, 100 survivors and we hope to raise $60,000," Hansen said.</p><p>Have you or your family been touched by cancer? Find out how you can celebrate, remember and fight back. Attend the Relay for Life Community Rally tonight from 6:30 to 7:30 at Corsaro's Pizza to see how you can become a part of of a cure to fight cancer. RSVP by calling Event Chair Paula Hansen at <a href="mailto:hansen93610@yahoo.com">hansen93610@yahoo.com</a> or Event Co-Chair Linda Leonard at <a href="mailto:purpleme60@yahoo.com">purpleme60@yahoo.com</a>.