The third annual Relay For Life of Highline will launch this year's fund-raising drive for the American Cancer Society with a Kick-Off Party on Thursday, Jan. 31.

Anyone in the community who is interested participating as an organizer, team captain or team member or in learning more is invited to attend the party.

The 7 p.m. kick-off event will be at Highline Medical Center's Somers Auditorium, 16255 Sylvester Road S.W., in Burien.

In addition to presentations by survivors and volunteers, the party will include a welcome from King County Council members Dow Constantine, who represents Burien, and Julia Patterson, who represents SeaTac, Normandy Park and Des Moines.

Guests at the event, which will feature food, beverages and entertainment, also will learn all about plans for this summer's two-day Relay For Life of Highline event.

The fundraiser is scheduled for Highline High School's Memorial Stadium on June 7 and 8.

Relay For Life is a national fund-raising event that supports and funds the mission of the American Cancer Society.

Relay For Life of Highline co-chairwoman Sandra Hart, who started the local event in 2006 after volunteering with the West Seattle event, said this year's relay is expected to be even bigger and better than last year.

Over the course of the 18-hour event, participants will join in an opening ceremony, cheer survivors as they take the first lap around the track, enjoy entertainment and activities, commemorate those lost to cancer and those surviving with the luminary lighting ceremony, and contribute to the progress of the fight against cancer.

Prizes, contests, games and food all will be part of the event as well. Local civic, school and neighborhood groups are urged to form teams to walk in the Relay for Life and raise money for the American Cancer Society.

The 2007 event involved 30 teams from Burien, Normandy Park, SeaTac and Des Moines and far surpassed its sponsorship and fund-raising goals, with more than $70,000 contributed.

"Everyone knows someone who has been affected by cancer," Hart said. "No one is immune from this devastating disease.

"Today, researchers are making great strides toward cures and vaccines for many kinds of cancer, and the need for funding this research is greater than ever. This event gives our community a golden opportunity to contribute to the cure."

Relay For Life is a community gathering where everyone can participate in the fight against cancer. Teams of people camp out overnight and take turns walking around the track to signify that cancer never sleeps.

The American Cancer Society event raises funds and awareness for all types of cancer research, education, advocacy and services. It represents the hope that those lost to cancer will never be forgotten, that those who face cancer will be supported, and that one-day cancer will be eliminated.

For more information about the Kick-Off Party on Jan. 31 and the relay event in June, contact Hart sandra.hart@alliancedata.com, and co-chairwoman Stephanie Warren, swr1ght@hotmail.com, or Kelly Cochran at the American Cancer Society, 206- 674-4103 or kelly.cochran@cancer.org, or visit www.cancer.org.

Sign up a team or contribute to the effort online at www.highlinerelay.org.