From kissing pigs to selling T-shirts, teams across Warren County are setting up fundraisers for cancer research.

In just over a month, an annual American Cancer Society fundraiser will culminate in the Relay for Life event night from 6 p.m. to midnight Friday, May 13, at the Vicksburg High School track.

About 22 teams are competing to raise the most money in Warren County. Each team has a personal fundraising goal, and the overall 2016 Relay for Life of Warren County goal is $61,738.

“It is friendly competition against all the teams,” Relay for Life community manager Megan McBeth said.

Money raised by the teams will be turned in to the American Cancer Society at Bank Night Tuesday, May 10. Even with the bulk of the fundraising revenue turned in before event night, some teams will even opt to make more money at the Relay event night Friday, May 13 to add to their earnings for cancer research.

“The teams will be doing on-site fundraising and this might be things such as games or activities. Teams might be selling food or concessions,” McBeth said. “This is another way they raise money for their team goal.”

Event night starts with a survivors’ reception at 6 p.m. with light refreshments.

“Any survivor is welcome to attend, and I always like to add, just because you are still going through treatment, we still invite you to attend the survivors’ reception because we consider you a survivor because you’re continuing to fight that battle,” McBeth said.

There will be a survivor lap of celebration following the opening ceremony remarks by sponsors to begin event night.

“It’s a victory lap,” McBeth said. “All the survivors are invited to take one big lap around the track and we celebrate them and cheer them on.”

Next, caregivers take a lap around the track, and finally the team members who contributed to Relay take a final lap.

At 10 p.m. there is a luminaire ceremony to remember those impacted by cancer.

“It’s just a very solemn quiet event where we remember all of those that have fought the good fight regardless of if they’re no longer with us, or if they’re still fighting the battle or have won the battle,” McBeth said.

All of the teams are working on different ways to raise money to help find a cure for cancer. The Vicksburg Post is getting in on the action and has formed a team for Relay for Life in an attempt to kiss cancer goodbye.

“Everyone has a connection with cancer,” president and publisher Tim Reeves said. “There are a lot of events we take pride in participating in, and this is number one.”

The team of Post employees has planned its fundraiser, Kiss the Pig, under the leadership of team captain Alyssa Totoro.

In the lobby of The Vicksburg Post, 1601-F North Frontage Road, eight Bancorp South piggy banks sit waiting for donations on a fence above pictures of Post employees.

The piggy bank belonging to The Post employee with the most donations will be kissing a pig Friday, May 6 in the office. Votes can be cast as 25-cent donations and will be accepted until 5 p.m. Thursday, May 5. Donations can be made though cash, coin, check or card in the office or over the phone at 601-636-4545.

Totoro, Reeves, advertising director Angela Ross, staff writer Alana Norris, staff writer Austin Vining, editor Jan Griffey, production manager Jimmy Mullen and circulation district manager Stacey Hartley are all eligible for votes.

For more information, visit relayforlife.org/warrenms.