ELIZABETHTOWN — The Bladen County Relay for Life committee is preparing for its fundraising season, beginning with a kickoff on Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the Elizabethtown Baptist Church Activity Center.

The Bladen County Relay for Life event is scheduled for 2010 Relay for Life is May 7 and May 8 at the Elizabethtown Middle School track.

The Bladen County Relay for Life is under the guidance of co-chairs Michelle Fisher and Jessica Inman, each of whom are excited about the upcoming year.

Inman said she has set the fundraising goals high for this year. Her fundraising goal is to sell 2,500 luminaries and to raise more than $175,000. Last year, there were 1,000 luminaries and the effort raised about $172,000.

“The meeting is for everybody,” said Inman.

There will be a meal served, live entertainment, luminary forms and team packets will be available, according to Inman. There will also be awards given out for the Heart of Relay, Spirit of Relay and Community Impact Award.

Inman said Dr. Leonard Block will be the keynote speaker for the evening. He has his bachelor of science degree from Brooklyn College and his medical degree from Chicago Medical School. Block performed his internship and residency at Cook County Hospital in Chicago. He has practiced surgery since 1980 in Lowell, Ma; Nashua, N.H. and is now in Elizabethtown. He is the recipient of the 2002 CIGNA Health Care Pink Ribbon Award and 2004 named by New Hampshire magazine as one of the “Best Doctors for Women.”

In addition, all survivors on-hand will be recognized.

“Survivors are also welcome to attend the kickoff,” said Fisher.

“Some team captains will come in and talk and we’re trying to recruit new members as well,” said Inman.

“It’s informative and to let people know what Relay is about and what is going on,” added Fisher, Relay co-chairman. “We want everybody pumped up and we want to have a successful Relay.”

Both Fisher and Inman said the goal of the kickoff is not only to begin planning and fundraising efforts for the 2010 Bladen County event, but to also get more people involved in Relay.

“There are so many people affected by cancer in Bladen County,” said Fisher.

All the money raised by Relay for Life go to the American Cancer Society for research.

Both Inman and Fisher said there are still some committee positions available. Anyone interested in serving on a committee may contact either Fisher or Inman.

The next Relay for Life team captains meeting will be held on Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. at the Bladen County Public Library.