According to the American Cancer Society, there are nearly 1.5 million men and women in the United States who suffer from cancer and Selma is “taking steps” to help find a cure.

Local organizers kicked off the annual ‘Relay for Life’ in Dallas County in late January to start a campaign effort to walk and raise money for cancer research and end the debilitating disease.

Krystal Dozier, public relations chairperson for the Dallas Co., Relay for Life, said this year’s theme is “Cancer Has No Borders.”

“I know several family members and friends with cancer,” Dozier said. “Cancer touches everyone and it’s important for us to get involved and raise money to help find a cure.”

Tanya Miles, chairperson for Relay for Life, has been involved in this effort for more than 20 years and said it’s “dear to my heart.”

“I started out with a team of my sisters and I when my mother died of ovarian cancer,” Miles said. “This relay is very important to me.”

Two of Miles’ sisters were also diagnosed with cancer and Miles said she hopes the Relay brings awareness and prevention.

“This relay is to help Dallas County because we don’t have a cancer center here,” Miles said. “We know there is a cure and we need to find it.”

Miles said in 2009, the organization set a goal to raise $55,000 and surpassed it, raising $70,000.

Last year, the group exceeded expectations once again.

“We raised $70,000 plus,” Miles said. “This year, we want to raise at least $100,000.”

Miles said the Relay begins April 29 from 6 p.m. until 6 a.m. at Memorial Stadium. Teams are encouraged to walk in memory or in honor of a cancer survivor or someone battling cancer. Each member is encouraged to raise $100 towards cancer research.

“We want every person on each team to get out on the track and walk,” Miles said. “Every hour, on every lap, there will be a different theme.”

Miller also said there will be a “Relay Week” where businesses are encouraged to “paint the city purple” by hanging purple ribbons on doors in honor of those who have lost their lives to cancer or who are in remission stages.

“There will be a banquet on April 25 beginning at 6 p.m. at the Carl C. Morgan Convention Center in honor of my sister, Sherri James, and other survivors,” Miles said. “There will be sponsors there and food. Admission is free.”

To join a team or give donations, please call Miles at 412-9675 or co-chairperson Veronica Brown at 412-6238. Visit Relay for Life’s website at www.relayforlife.org/dallascounty/al for more information.