With the theme of “Fishing For A Cure” and urging participants to ‘cast your line’ against cancer, the 2026 kickoff for the annual Relay For Life is scheduled for later this month.

Relay For Life of Greater Central Valley encompasses Stanislaus, San Joaquin and several surrounding counties and the American Cancer Society’s signature fundraising event will once again be staged at Johansen High School in Modesto, where it has been hosted the past couple of years. The 2026 dates for the 24-hour team event are Saturday and Sunday, May 16 and 17, from 9 a.m. Saturday to 9 a.m. Sunday.

Kickoff will be Thursday, Jan. 22 at 6:30 p.m. at Wellspring Anglican Church, 1548 Cummins Drive, Modesto.

Special speaker will be Denise Rundall, talking about Dillon’s Dream: A World Without Cancer.

Along with the guest speaker, there will also be the opportunity to purchase dinner, which will be offered at $10 per person and will include lasagna, salad and garlic bread, being presented by team Heart, Hope, and Soul Sisters.

Those planning to attend can also wear their favorite fishing attire to earn spirit points.

A special feature at the kickoff meeting will be a pinning ceremony for all team captains in attendance.

More than two dozen teams have already signed up to be part of the event, accounting for more than 110 participants, and to date, more than $24,700 has been raised. The fundraising goal for this year has been set at $175,000 to benefit the American Cancer Society.

All interested in learning more about the Relay For Life of Greater Central Valley event are encouraged to attend the kickoff meeting on Jan. 22.