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In the coming months, close to 4 million people in communities across America are expected to help the American Cancer Society fight cancer by supporting Relay For Life.

As the society's signature event, Relay For Life has raised millions of dollars toward the fight against cancer since it began in 1985, and offers everyone in a community an opportunity to participate in the fight against cancer.

The greater Attleboro area is a strong force in that fight, with five major relays held each year in Foxboro, Franklin, Mansfield, North Attleboro and Taunton.

The relays are months away at this point, but volunteer organizers from surrounding communities have already been busy planning their individual relays, and the American Cancer Society couldn't be happier.

"Relay For Life is a unique opportunity for our community to come together to celebrate people who have battled cancer, remember those we've lost, and fight back against the disease," said Kate Rogers, the ACS state director for Communications in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. "Many of the participants are cancer survivors, which serves as a reminder that the Greater Attleboro community has been touched by this disease, and that by participating in relay, they are joining with the American Cancer Society's efforts to create a world with less cancer and more birthdays.

"We are deeply grateful to the volunteer leadership for each of the local events for their work year-round to make these events successful year after year," she said.

An event-by-event breakdown follows:

North Attleboro

The second oldest of the five area relays is the Relay For Life of Greater Attleboro, which will hold its 13th annual relay on June 11 and 12, at North Attleboro High School.

In addition to continuing the American Cancer Society's theme of "Celebrate - Remember - Fight Back," organizers say they are adding their newest focus, which is that the American Cancer Society is the "official Sponsor of Birthdays," and plan to incorporate the idea of birthdays into the event.

In the last 12 years, the Relay For Life of Greater Attleboro has raised $2.7 million dollars, and organizers say they want to make this the year they hit $3 million.

"We are happy to welcome back our very dedicated veteran teams, those still in their beginning years with relay, and of course a big pat on the back to welcome the newbies," say the organizers.

As for the goals for the Relay For Life of Greater Attleboro itself, organizers hope to increase the number of teams, survivors, walkers and luminaries, and continue to be one of the top 25 teams in the American Cancer Society Relay For Life New England division.

The committee also advises that all help and suggestions are welcome, from team members to committee members to sponsors to volunteers needed to fulfill a variety of roles. Mansfield

The Relay For Life of Mansfield will be held on June 11 and 12 this year, at Mansfield High School.

Now in its sixth year, the relay has raised more than $1 million to date, bringing in $422,693 from last year's relay alone, and organizers say the goal for this year is $450,000.

The relay won the national awards for All American, online fundraising, Show Us Your Hope, and in New England, won the per capita award, and came in third in the region for fundraising. Organizers credit much of the relay's success to community support.

"The Mansfield business community has always generously supported the Relay For Life Event Co-Chairwoman Patti Hallgren. "We are now in our sixth year, and they continue to stand by us in the fight against cancer. This year Cosi, Stefanos and the new Friendly's Express have already scheduled fundraisers on our behalf."

Community support for this year's relay also will come from a dedicated cancer survivor, Bryna Kaufman, who is serving as the publicity tri-chairwoman, and is also legislative ambassador for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network.

"My motivation for getting involved on the Relay For Life of Mansfield planning committee was simply to make a contribution to my community in some way that engaged my mind, drew on strengths and skills, enabled me to get to know people and most importantly to have fun," Kaufman said of her reasons for joining the relay team.

Foxboro

The Relay For Life of Greater Foxboro - which includes The Sun Chronicle area communities of Foxboro, Norfolk and Wrentham - will be held June 18 and 19 at the Ahern Middle School track in Foxboro.

Now in its seventh year, the goal of event, according to organizers is to both maintain the community feel of the event from past years, and expand the event with more teams and more contributions over last year.

"New faces are always welcome at our committee meetings," said Tri-Chairwoman Amy Walker. "Our event is close to reaching the $1 million mark."

Walker also notes that the Foxboro relay will celebrate survivors through the American Cancer Society's Official Sponsor of Birthdays initiative.

The kickoff celebration for the relay will be held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 2, at We Got Soccer on Route 1, with all team captains invited. "This celebration will reflect on last year and help to energize captains for the upcoming relay," Walker said.

Organizers also urge area residents to become a fan and check out the relay committee's new site on Facebook, where they will be posting information on special events being planned for this year, including live music, the annual dinner for the relay's participating cancer survivors, new awards and the annual Raffle Basket Tent.

Taunton

The third oldest relay in the area, the Relay For Life of Greater Taunton, will take place from June 4 to 5. For more information, contact Lura Raymond at lura.raymond@cancer.org or visit. www.relayforlife.org/greatertaunton.

Franklin

The oldest of the five area relays, the Franklin Relay For Life began 17 years ago and will be held from June 11 to 12, at the Franklin High School track in Franklin. For more information, contact American Cancer Society Staff Partner Morgan Sharkey at 508-897-4324 or via e-mail at morgan.sharkey@cancer.org or visit www.relayforlife/.org/franklinma.

Janette Boulay can be reached by phone or fax at 508-222-0993 or by e-mail at janette.boulay@gmail.com.