Julie Lange has had a team in the Mower County Relay for Life since 2001, and she and other volunteers returned with the same goal Saturday.

The Mower County Relay for Life kicked off the drive toward its 23rd annual relay at Our Saviors Lutheran Church Saturday with a short program to get team captains and committee leaders ready for the relay season.

“It’s kind of the official kickoff,” Community Manager for Southern Minnesota Sarah Finley said.

For people like Lange, it’s a way to continue the tradition of honoring passed loved ones.

“My mom Debbie passed away from breast cancer in November of 2000, and then she was a part of the relay before she passed away,” she said. “And I was actually able to be on a team with her before she died, so we’ve kind of kept up the tradition.”

Lange’s family and friends from all over Minnesota get together each year to help fight cancer. For Lange, it’s a chance to remember her mother and provide support to others.

“I like to do it just to keep my mom’s memory up and then also to give support to all the cancer survivors that are out there,” she said. “Because it seems like we have many family and friends that are affected by it and I think it’s a great cause to support.”

Team recruiter Cheryl Retterath said the event will move from Bandshell Park to the fairgrounds this year with hopes for more parking space and campers.

“We have room to expand with teams in the future,” Retterath said. “And I think it’s just gong to give us the area that we need for the camping for the teams that are overnight, the vendors and just the relay track will be, I think more secure.”

Organizers hope to raise about $85,000 at this year’s event after raising about $80,000.

After 14-year event chair Linda Baier stepped down last year, nobody has taken up the position for this year. Finley hopes someone will take it over within the next few years, especially after changes like moving the event to the fairgrounds. There are currently 11 teams signed up for this year’s race.

For Finley, the event is about honoring those who have passed.

“Awareness and honoring the survivors and caregivers and ones that we’ve lost,” she said. “Celebrating the accomplishments that they do and then we remember everybody that we’ve lost. Finish the fight one day.”

The event is also important to Retterath to remember those lost, but she also hopes others will see they can make a difference.

“Just the knowledge that we can all make a difference,” she said. “Helping towards a cure for cancer, all cancers.”

Organizers hope to see community support throughout the entire event.

“Come out and spend the evening with us,” Retterath said.

“We walk all night so it would be cool to see other people out there all night long with us,” Finley added.