Though Relay for Life is a big annual event, one that raises much-needed funds to find better treatments for cancer, it is not always possible for everyone who wants to help make a difference to attend and do their part.

This year, Beaufort County’s chapter has come up with several feeder events to complement the main event, allowing more opportunities for the community to get involved in the fight against cancer.

“It allows people to become involved with Relay for Life,” said Carol West, one of four event leads for Beaufort County Relay for Life. “They may not be able to go to Relay, but they may want to do something by participating in other feeder events. It gives them a chance to make an impact against cancer in a different way.”

Next Friday at 6:30 p.m., a Friday Night Out Survivor Social for cancer survivors and their caregivers will be held at First Church of Christ. This year’s theme is “Relaywood: Lights, Camera, Relay,” and will feature vintage comedy TV such as the Carol Burnette Show, according to West.

April 9 will mark a new feeder event, called “Paint it Forward” at Wine and Design, from 2-4 p.m.. Participants will paint one of three designs for a $40 fee, with part of the proceeds going to Relay, and take their finished paintings home with them, West said.

The following Saturday, April 16, from 3-5 p.m., the inaugural Relay 500 Boxcar Race will take place. Individuals and organizations will build cars from cardboard and race against other teams in three different divisions — adults, children and civic organizations.

At Goose Creek State Park, a 5K Color Run will be held April 23 at 9 a.m. Registration is at 8:30 a.m. and costs $25 per person 16 and older and $15 for those younger than 16. Runners/walkers will receive a white T-shirt and two packs of color to decorate their shirt. The color can also be used to celebrate after the run through participants spraying color among other participants, West said. The course of the run will be confined to the park, starting at the visitors’ center, looping throughout the park roads and ending at the starting point, according to West. For those registering on the day of the race, the fee to participate is $30.

The local chapter of Relay has received the Power of Hope Award — an award for having the most registered cancer survivors per capita — from the American Cancer Society two years running, Last year, the chapter boasted 314 registered survivors. So far, over 100 survivors have registered for this year’s event, West said.

While Beaufort County Relay for Life’s main event is usually held at the Washington High School track, this year’s 20^th anniversary celebration means a change in venue, to Festival Park on the Washington waterfront. The event will include the annual Survivor’s Lap, live entertainment and more.

West and chapter volunteers hope to get more survivors and teams to register to make the event as successful as possible.

“It’s very important because everyone is touched by cancer in some form or fashion, and it’s a way you can give back,” West said. “You may not have (cancer) yourself, but you have a family member or friend or coworker that’s had it. Every penny or dollar we raise helps find better treatment options and research for cancer. You may not think you’re doing a whole lot, but you really are. There is power in numbers.”

For more information or to register for Relay for Life or one of its feeder events, contact Carol West at 252-944-3814. To register for the 5K Color Run, visit relayforlife.org/beaufort5knc.