A charity dedicated to the fight against cancer is launching its biggest fundraising event of the year with a blitz tomorrow.

The Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre will hold its Relay For Life Kick Off event across Hamilton with the support of sponsor Liberty Mutual Insurance.

A spokeswoman said: “Relay For Life committee members will be available during the noon to 1pm lunch hour, posted in various locations in the City of Hamilton, to answer any questions prospective participants may have about the event.

“There will also be the ability to ask questions in real-time on Facebook Live.”

The Relay for Life fundraiser is scheduled for May 20 and 21 at the National Sports Centre in Devonshire after the Covid-19 pandemic forced two years of virtual events.

The overnight event will begin with an opening ceremony, followed by cancer survivors taking a lap around the track.

The survivors will be followed by teams of fundraisers, with at least one member of each team on the track at all times until the end of the event.

The event will also include an overnight lights ceremony with hundreds of candles lit to honour cancer survivors and remember those who lost their battle against the disease.

The annual fundraiser attracts more than 5,000 participants and has raised more than $4.5 million to help the fight against cancer.

A BCHC spokeswoman said that 97 per cent of the cash raised was spent on the island to promote knowledge about cancer, pay for early detection treatment and to fund support services.

The other three per cent is given to the American Cancer Society’s Global Relay For Life, which supports life-saving research and programmes around the world.

The spokeswoman said Liberty had donated more than $678,000 through its sponsorship since 2014.

She added: “These funds have been instrumental in the continued success of the centre as a leading non-profit in Bermuda, providing radiation therapy and early detection services to our community – and free of co-pays for those without insurance coverage.”

Steve Horton, the president of sponsor Liberty Mutual Insurance, said the firm was delighted to support the event for the ninth year in a row.

He added: “The last couple of years have been unprecedented for us all.

“The positivity and focus this event brings to such an important cause is something we can all get behind and support.”

For more information, visit the Relay for Life Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BermudaRelay or go to www.bermudarelay.com.