The battle to find a cure for cancer takes off once again this year in Buckley with the Relay For Life event scheduled for May 18-19 at the skate park.

The opening ceremony is set for 6 p.m., the survivor lap at 6:45 p.m., luminary ceremony at dark or about 10 p.m. and closing ceremony at noon May 19.

Alisa Garate, founder of the Hungry Housewives team, said the theme this year is, “’Cancer never sleeps.’ That’s why we walk through the night.”

Garate said the participants will walk on the trail and about 800 are expected to attend. She noted all are welcome to attend and donate.

As of Monday on the Relay For Life website, the three top teams are Ohana X, The Hungry Housewives and Team Patti Seldal.

The top participant fundraisers are Jim Burton, Jennifer Ertl and Sue Warfel.

The American Cancer Society Relay for Life began in Tacoma in May 1985. According to the website,  the event was started by Dr. Gordy Klatt, a Tacoma colorectal surgeon. He wanted to raise money to fight cancer and he was an avid marathon runner. The first relay began when Klatt ran around the track at Baker Stadium at the University of Puget Sound logging 83 miles over a 24 hour period in May 1985. Since that time the relay has grown into nationwide event to raise money for the cancer research.