FOXBORO -- After months of planning and enlisting community support, the American Cancer Society will begin its first Relay of Life for Greater Foxboro at 6 p.m. Friday.

With an overwhelming response from the community, the relay looks to be a success already, however, according to Bill Meehan of Foxboro, who is co-chairing the inaugural event with Fran Hession of Wrentham.

Based on registrations and sponsorships to date, Meehan estimates that the relay will bring in at least $60,000, greatly surpassing the $25,000 goal set by the American Cancer Society.

Meehan notes that the relay also has topped its goal of 25 teams, with 36 teams registered to date, and expects that there probably will be 40 teams when all is said and done.

`` The response from the entire community has been terrific,'' Meehan said. `` Local businesses, civic groups, town officials and employees and, especially, citizens, survivors and friends have lined up to help and to take part,'' he said.

`` By any measure, this first Relay For Life for Greater Foxboro is certain to be a great success, and is equally certain to be the first of many. We would especially like to thank Invensys/The Foxboro Co., for committing to a major sponsorship in our first year. In addition, their employees have responded in great numbers -- with four teams of their own,'' he said.

Invensys Foxboro is making a corporate donation and challenging employee teams to match that dona tion to ensure a total contribution or more than $10,000 to the American Cancer Society.

For complete story, see June 21 Sun Chronicle.