The annual Survivor Dinner for Mercer Relay for Life was held April 20 at Brandy Springs Park Community Building, Mercer. Nearly 140 cancer survivors, caretakers, and relay volunteers attended the celebration.

The event’s speaker was Kim Leonard, the director of Womancare Center of UPMC Horizon, which is affiliated with Magee-Women’s Hospital, Hermitage. She reviewed plans by UPMC Horizon and UPMC Cancer Centers to construct a $4.6 million comprehensive cancer center in the rear of Womancare Center of UPMC Horizon in Hermitage.

The new center will provide a full range of oncology services, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, diagnostic imaging services, access to the latest clinical research trials through UPCI and UPMC Cancer Centers, support groups, and community education programs.

Groundbreaking will be late this summer with completion in early 2009.

At the banquet, survivors – the real stars at the relay – were invited to inscribe their signatures on a large star banner. It will be hung at the Survivor Tent on Relay weekend. Survivors and Caregivers attending also received their annual choice of this year’s T-shirt or hat.

A display by the Pennsylvania Department of Health focused on sun-care tips. The American Cancer Society display gave those in attendance a chance to sign up for the Look Good Feel Better program, which will be available Relay weekend.

The 16th annual, 24-hour Relay for Life/Mercer will be held June 14 and 15 at the Mercer High School track. It will feature the annual activities such as an opening team lap, a Miss Relay contest, fun laps, the Survivor Lap and reception, the always inspiring luminaria ceremony, and the Sunday Worship Service.

New this year is the slogan “Celebrate. Remember. Fight Back.”, which will be the theme of a new ceremony, too.

Residents of Mercer and surrounding communities are invited to attend and participate. The event provides a vehicle to fight cancer at the community level.

For information about starting a team, buying auminarias or patron ads, or volunteering, call the New Castle ACS office at 724-654-5577; the Mercer Relay contact number 724-588-9486’ or go to www.cancer.org