Walkers and runners, cancer survivors, community leaders, team captains and hard workers.

All are needed to make the American Cancer Society's first Relay For Life in the Highline area a reality.

The first volunteer committee meeting will be Oct. 13 to begin planning the round-the-clock event to raise funds and awareness of the fight against cancer in Burien, Normandy Park, Des Moines and SeaTac.

Relay For Life is a unique fundraising event that allows participants from all walks of life - including patients and medical support staff, together with volunteers from corporations, civic organizations, churches and the community - to join together in the fight against cancer. Participants in this team event walk or run around a track relay style for 14 hours.

"Relay For Life is as much an awareness raiser about the progress against cancer as it is a fundraiser," said Emily Dietman, staff partner with the American Cancer Society.

"Individuals who are willing to give their time and energy to this exciting event, as a volunteer or participant, have made a commitment to fight back against this disease and let the community know that you can beat cancer."

Volunteers are needed to recruit and organize teams, seek community support, and to help with underwriting, coordinating logistics, finding refreshments and prizes, planning entertainment, and general support.

To join the first Relay For Life in the Highline community, call the American Cancer Society at 1-800-729-5588, ext. 3.

For more information about the American Cancer Society, call 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.