craigdailypress.com

Craig — Battles and wars.

Moffat County put up a good fight last year, but the war stretches ahead as far as anyone on the ground can tell.

Elisa Hayes remembers her sister.

Jana Rowe remembers her mother.

They are part of the Craig Relay for Life effort, the American Cancer Society's largest fundraiser, where participants walk all night long to raise money for cancer research.

The Craig committee will hold a "pre-kickoff" meeting at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Moffat County High School Library.

At the meeting, there will be a one-time team registration discount for half off the normal charge, bringing the total down to $50.

Hayes, last year's event chairwoman, who will serve as the team development coordinator next year, said all previous teams are invited and that she wants to extend that invitation to anyone in the community who is interested or might have questions.

"No one has to come with a team already set," Hayes said. "Anyone that is interested can sign up and fill their team spots later. Come ask questions. Come to the meeting and see what it's all about."

Although no new teams have been started, seven teams from last year have made commitments, including Rowe's team - last year's top fundraising team - the Curvaceous Babes from the Curves for Women exercise facility.

Rowe is eager to start the new campaign.

"We're going to do even more this year," Rowe said. "It's so worth it. It's so rewarding. I'm really looking forward to next July."

The Curvaceous Babes did multiple things to raise money last year, Rowe added.

The team washed windows, had bake sales and collected pennies at Curves.

And it's already starting again. People using the Curves facility may have noticed during one of their workouts the penny jars for breast and lung cancer.

Whoever put in a $10 bill has, Rowe said.

She said she hoped next year's relay could be larger than this past one.

Last year's event exceeded many people's expectations.

Rowe's team was one of 27 that included more than 480 participants and raised more than $68,400.

"Everyone was so enthused last year," Rowe said, "but I think more people will get involved.

"People might have been afraid last year because they didn't know what it was all about. This year, I think people have seen what we can do."

Anyone interested in attending the meeting can meet at the high school library, or they can contact Elisa Hayes to RSVP or ask questions at 824-4619 or 629-5919.

Collin Smith can be reached at 824-7031, ext. 209, or cesmith@craigdailypress.com