(KMZA)--Nemaha County is gearing up for the battle against cancer, with the 9th annual Relay For Life planned to begin Friday night in Seneca. "The theme this year is "Be Somebody's Hero" and it is a superhero theme,"committee member Leslie Beasley tells MSC News. She says the relay will run from 5:00 Friday evening until 1:00 Saturday morning at the Nemaha Central Track in Seneca, with the public encouraged to attend and “be somebody's hero." "Our goal is to raise money to reasearch to eventually find a cure for cancer. So with our theme this year, when you come out and support the Relay for Life you are helping them both with treatments and going through the process of cancer now, but also in the future when we completely eradicate cancer completely."  

Beasley says funds are raised through a variety of methods, ranging from Relay For Life team efforts to the on-site events planned for Friday night. "So far we are doing good on fundraising. We're [at] about the same point as last year. At the actual relay event we will have a lot of opportunites that you can donate in support. We'll also have a concession stand available and a free-will barbecue. We will have a silent auction ending at 12:30. You do not have to be present to win."  

Games and other activities are also planned for the night, along with the sobering, traditional candlelight remembrance of those lost to cancer. "There will be the luminaria ceremony at dusk," Beasley says. "We do have luminarias still for sale. You can buy them either in honor of someone or in memory of someone that has passed away from cancer. They are $10.00 each." 

The annual Relay for Life is held each year in conjunction with the American Cancer Society in support of the organization's efforts towards cancer research.