As of Tuesday morning, 115 teams including 1,600 participants were signed up for the overnight North Whidbey Relay for Life event at North Whidbey Middle School in Oak Harbor.

After a year of fundraising under the mantra, “Relay every day in a little way,” the teams have pulled together $137,000 in pledged donations, with more expected by relay’s end. This year’s goal is $182,500, said event coordinator Karla Sharkey.

The cadre of cancer busters will take over the North Whidbey Middle School track Friday evening for nearly 24 hours of celebration and remembrance of cancer fighters, survivors and victims as they walk the oval.

Last year’s grand total tally included 102 teams, 1,500 participants, 31 sponsors and 250 cancer survivors who gathered at the North Whidbey Middle School track for 24 hours of walking. The 2009 relay raised $177,400 for cancer research, education and patient services.

“Celebrating Life With More Birthdays” is the theme for this year’s Relay for Life event at North Whidbey Middle School, June 4 and 5.

Relay teams with creative names such as My Breast Friends, Flip Flop Mommies and The Painted Toe Pirates cooked up equally inventive fundraising strategies.

Those pink flamingos around town? Relay for Life. Flapjack fundraisers? Relay for Life. Teachers shaving their heads? You guessed it.

This Friday, four bold Oak Harbor Middle School teachers will have their heads shaved at an 8 a.m. assembly at the school.

Following the one-day walk, the relay team will host an open house Wednesday, June 16, at the Elk’s Lodge from 5 to 7 p.m. to discuss the event and allow participants to turn in any last minute paperwork. Come enjoy dessert with your Relay Committee which will thank everyone for a job well done. Contact Karla Sharkey at 675-8091 or email kksharkey123@comcast.net.