SMC employees are being asked to form teams for a unique and emotional cancer research fundraising event -- "Santa Monica Relay for Life" -- that will be held over a 24-hour period Aug. 3 and 4 at Corsair Field.

Teams are made up of at least 10 people who will walk or run around the SMC track in shifts, from 9 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 3 to 9 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 4. Team participants camp out and enjoy music, entertainment and refreshments, as well as build team spirit in the fight against cancer.

"We are proud to be one of the sponsors of this first-ever event," said Judy Neveau, community relations director. "The power of this relay allows our community to grieve for those we have lost to cancer and to celebrate the lives of those who have successfully survived. Further, it builds our community by rallying around a common cause while having fun at the same time."

The main sponsor of the event is The American Cancer Society, with support from SMC, City of Santa Monica and Santa Monica Police Department.

For information on forming teams, contact Judy Neveau at ext. 4303 or Tony Prestby at ext. 4003. You can also visit http://www.cancer.org.