The 2014 Relay for Life campaign has officially begun in Dawson County.

The local arm of the American Cancer Society held its "Purple Passion Party" kickoff event Feb. 25 at the Dawson County Board of Education Professional Development Center.

Relay for Life gives cancer survivors and supporters a chance to unite as a community to honor survivors, raise awareness of reducing cancer risks and collect funds to help the American Cancer Society.

"Relay is your event. You are the heart and soul of this event, as a community," said Brooke VanBuskirk, a staff partner with the organization. "This is your event to rally around survivors and community members to show that you care and to try to make sure that, hopefully soon, that we won't have to hear the word cancer anymore."

This year's theme will be "A Carnival of Hope."

Plans call for carnival style games, food, clowns, balloons and other sights one might see at a carnival.

"It's unfortunate that we have to have an event like this, but to see so much support from the community is great," VanBuskirk said. "This is an amazing community and I know it will continue to do an amazing thing."

Last year, Dawson County raised more than $51,000 for the American Cancer Society. As of Tuesday, 15 teams had registered and raised nearly $9,500, according to the county's Relay site.

The 2014 Relay for Life event is set for 6 p.m. April 25 at Veterans Memorial Park.

Thursday is the last day that sponsors can register, as well as the first set of team registration deadlines. For more information, visit www.dawsoncountyrelay.org.