There are just over two weeks for teams to sign up for the Osoyoos version of the Canadian Cancer Society’s annual Relay for Life.

This will be the 10th consecutive year that Osoyoos has hosted the fundraising event – an event that has helped raise more than $250,000 for cancer research.

After being held for several years at Gyro Park, organizers have decided to move this year’s Relay for Life to the playing fields located behind the Sonora Community Centre and Osoyoos Elementary School.

The biggest problem with the Gyro Park location was the limited space available for the dozens of participants and the large contingent of supporters who showed up to cheer them on.

The Osoyoos event traditionally attracts a dozen or so teams of 10 to 15 people, all who raise money by getting pledges from family members, friends and co-workers.

With a new and larger venue, organizers say there is a lot more space available and hope more teams will sign up for this year’s event, which takes place on Saturday, June 7.

Anyone who has ever participated in or witnessed a Relay for Life can attest that this is a truly wonderful event that combines a lot of tears with a lot of smiles.

The tears are for those who have lost loved ones to the dreaded disease.

The smiles come from participants who have beaten cancer and supporters who know that cancer is no longer a death sentence and the large majority of people diagnosed can recover after seeking treatment.

Being able to share stories and meet other people who have suffered loss and been through so much emotional pain is another wonderful facet of this amazing event.

One of the most emotional moments each year is when survivors kick off the event during a Survivor’s Lap.

The lighting of the luminaries at dusk is also highly emotional.

Relay for Life events are held in thousands of communities across Canada and around the world and everyone who participates should be proud of contributing to an event that has helped raise tens of millions of dollars for cancer research.

Last year’s event saw more than 16,000 teams raise almost $47 million for cancer research.

That’s simply incredible and inspiring.

It’s because of events like Relay for Life that cancer will be beaten one day.

Anyone interested in entering a team can still do so by going online and registering at www.relayforlife.ca.