PROCTORVILLE — The American Cancer Society will host its inaugural Bark For Life event from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, April 18 at the Lawrence County Fairgrounds.

The fundraising event honors the lifelong contributions of canine caregivers to cancer survivors. Families and their dogs come together for a few hours of celebration and companionship and complete a one-mile walk.

There will be doggie games, dress-up contests, music and food. Before the event, participants raise funds by asking family and friends to support their efforts.

“The Bark For Life event is an opportunity for people to celebrate canine companionship and fight back against cancer with their dogs,” said LaChona Ferguson, community manager. “Every person who has been close to a cancer experience and has a dog in their life is invited to participate.”

The event is part of the American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Lawrence County. Funds raised through the events help the American Cancer Society save lives by funding groundbreaking research, supporting education efforts, and providing free information and critical services for cancer patients.

For registration information for Bark For Life event please contact LaChona Ferguson at 740-708-5186 or Lachona.Ferguson@cancer.org.

Lawrence County Relay For Life will take place from noon-midnight on Saturday, May 16, at South Point High School.

Cabell County Relay For Life will take place from 5-11 p.m. on Friday, June 5 at Huntington High School. More information can be found at www.relayforlife.org/cabellwv.

Road to Recovery drivers in Cabell County Lawrence County are sought. For more information in Cabell County please contact Holley Durham, community manager at 304-523-1939 at the American Cancer Society, 611 Seventh Ave., Huntington.

Cabell County would like to offer local information as well as resources such as wigs. For more information contact Terri Francis, program manager, mission delivery at 304-523-1939.

The American Cancer Society is a global grassroots force of nearly three million volunteers saving lives and fighting for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community.

As the largest voluntary health organization, the society’s efforts have contributed to a 22 percent decline in cancer death rates in the U.S. during the past two decades, and a 50 percent drop in smoking rates.

Thanks in part to the progress, nearly 14.5 million Americans who have had cancer and countless more who have avoided it will celebrate more birthdays this year.

As the nation’s largest private, not-for-profit investor in cancer research, the organization is finding cures and ensuring people facing cancer have the help they need and continuing the fight for access to quality health care, lifesaving screenings, clean air, and more.

For more information, to get help, or to join the fight, visit cancer.org or call 1-800-227-2345.