The American Red Cross recently announced that A New Beginning Church would be the presenting partner for next year’s Long County Relay for Life.

Church relay-team members Linda DeLoach, Bobby Smith and Pastor Tom Gardner presented the first check toward the event to American Cancer Society community manager Sharon Proudfoot.

“This is our eighth annual Relay for Life in Long County, and what excites me about our relay, as an American Cancer Society staff member, is that the Long County community has embraced and taken ownership of their relay since we started back in 2006,” Proudfoot said.

The 2013 relay will be at 7 p.m. May 17 at Veterans Stadium in Ludowici, according to a link on the event’s Facebook page.

According to Proudfoot, this year’s relay theme is “Georgia on My Mind, Cancer Left Behind.” She said that teams will celebrate the many aspects of Georgia, including its sports, history, landmarks and food as they raise money for the battle against cancer.

“Cancer has affected just about every member of my family, and every family out there has either lost a family member or a loved one,” said DeLoach, a three-year cancer survivor. “Fortunately, we have such good people in our community, and they always do so much to help. I’m just excited about being a part of our team and the whole Relay for Life.”

Last year, Long County’s relay had 22 teams — a record number of teams — and more than 300 participants. The event raised more than $30,000.

Proudfoot also said From the Pit to the Promise Foundation is this year’s celebration partner.

Lynn Simmons and Debra Proudfoot Wells are relay chairpersons.

For more information on how to create a team or become a team member or sponsor, call 866-227-0797.