Big changes are on deck for the eighth anniversary of Relay for Life of Mt. Lebanon, a community-wide fundraiser that benefits the American Cancer Society. This year’s 24-hour event is in Mt. Lebanon High School stadium beginning at 7 P.M., Friday, June 9. The emotionally moving luminaria ceremony, which memorializes and honors those diagnosed with cancer, is scheduled for Friday night at 9.

The event traditionally has taken place Saturday through Sunday, but organizers think the Friday through Saturday time frame will fit better into people’s busy summer schedules.

Relay for Life, a signature national event, helps raise money for programs, treatments and research to prevent cancer and to help those who are diagnosed.

Since its inception, Relay for Life of Mt. Lebanon has raised more than $1.3 million.

Teams will walk—and dance, skip and run—the Mt. Lebanon track in exchange for pledges for the charity. But the event is not just for participating teams. Relay for Life of Mt. Lebanon is a carnival full of food, games, raffles, music and entertainment for all ages. All proceeds from these activities go to the American Cancer Society, which since 1946 has funded more than $4 billion in cancer research.

Funds raised support things such as 24-hour info and support by phone; email and online chats with cancer information specialists (1-800-227-2345); patient assistance from trained patient navigators to help understand the diagnosis and get the help they need; and free lodging at American Cancer Society Hope Lodge when having to travel to get treatment.

For more information, go to www.relayforlife.org/pamtlebanon. For information about the ACS, go to www.cancer.org.