Registration for the annual Relay For Life is now open, with participants urged to embrace the theme of “Garden of Light”.

The annual fundraiser for the Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre is scheduled to take place on May 9 and 10 at the National Sports Centre with the goal of supporting programmes to tackle cancer on the island.

Lynne Woolridge, chief executive of the BCHC, said: “Relay For Life Bermuda is a shining example of what we can achieve when we come together as a community.

“The ‘Garden of Light’ theme represents our collective strength and resilience. We are deeply grateful to Liberty Mutual Insurance for their support and look forward to another incredible event that inspires hope and unity.”

A BCHC spokeswoman said the annual event is an opportunity to celebrate survivors, support those living with cancer and remember loved ones lost.

Past events have raised between $500,000 and $870,000, allowing the centre to expand its services, provide state-of-the-art care and ensure that uninsured and underinsured individuals have access to the care they need.

This year, the BCHC plans to celebrate its 80th anniversary by bringing the event’s theme into the charity’s first float in the Heritage Day Parade.

After the parade, the float will be displayed at the Bermuda Society of Arts.

The spokeswoman said that $35 per-person early-bird registration for the event is available now at www.bermudarelay.bm, with the registration fee increasing to $50 on April 15.

She added that the charity will host a pair of team captain meetings in the lead-up to the event to help make sure that teams are ready to go.

“Teams are at the heart of Relay For Life. Each team, led by a team captain, works together to fundraise and participate in this inspiring 18-hour event,” the spokeswoman said.

“Team Captain Meetings will provide guidance on fundraising strategies, event logistics and team goals. These meetings are open to anyone interested in becoming a team.”

The meetings are scheduled to take place at 5.30pm on March 19 and April 16 at Axa XL on Bermudiana Road.