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Austinites Raise Awareness and Money for Cancer

Participants in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life
Photo by Josh Berglund at Flickr http://www.flickr.com/people/tyrian123/
Participants in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life

The American Cancer Society's Relay For Life fundraiser will be taking place at the Westlake High School track today from 2 pm until 2 am. 

According to the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life website, people from across the country are taking part.

Each year, more than 3.5 million people in 5,000 communities in the United States, along with additional communities in 20 other countries, gather to take part in this global phenomenon and raise much-needed funds and awareness to save lives from cancer.

Teams at the rally will participate in the all-night walk-a-thon to raise awareness and money for the American Cancer Society. In addition to walking the track, the relay will also include a Survivor's Lap to inspire people to fight the disease, and a Luminaria Ceremony to remember those whose lives were taken by cancer.

You don't have to be a member of a team in order to attend the relay or enjoy the festivities. A carnival will be taking place from 3 pm to 6 pm, and will include booths, food and rides. There will also be a table accepting donations from relay attendees.

Also raising money for cancer today is the 13th annual Dragon Boat Race and Festival. It takes place at Festival Beach on Lady Bird Lake today from 10 am to 3 pm.

Admission is free to the public, and in addition to the races of 40-foot colorful boats, there will be music, vendors, kid's activities, cultural exhibitions like martial arts demonstrations, and a silent auction benefiting Cancer Connection of Austin.