Oxford residents and Ole Miss students are set to unite together in their fight against cancer. The 2019 Relay for Life event will take place on April 12 at the Old Armory Pavilion and feature several events throughout the four hours.

The Colleges Against Cancer chapter at Ole Miss is working with the American Cancer Society to put on the event. Jennifer Ventura is one of the students spearheading this year’s Relay for Life fundraiser.

“It’s about building community,” Ventura said. “It’s not this event that we have once a year. It’s really getting the community involved, which is why you have teams. It’s very much about the community and they can see the changes that are being made with the money we raised.”

There will be groups comprised of area elementary school students, amongst others. Additionally, the Ole Miss hockey team has signed up to participate, calling their group“Oxford, MS vs. Cancer.’

The event runs from 6 to 10 p.m. and will start with opening ceremonies that will involve a first lap made by cancer survivors and their caregivers followed by a survivor dinner. Other events taking place include a tug of war competition between the Oxford Police and Fire Departments, the inaugural Relay for Life Dog Pageant, and a wing-eating contest sponsored by Buffalo Wild Wings. A luminaria will take place from 8:50 to 9:10 p.m.

Other Relay for Life events around the state are scheduled to last all night, which is something Ventura is hopeful they can arrange for next year, possibly using a venue on Ole Miss’ campus.

For more information or to register a group, visit relayforlife.org/oxfordms.  Cancer survivors interested in participation can email cballer3@go.olemiss.edu for more information about registration and t-shirts.