The days are counting down until American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, which begins at 6 p.m. May 18 at Nansemond River High School.

The countdown stands at 81 days, for those keeping track. But in the meantime, Suffolk’s Relay for Life will be hosting multiple events to help fundraise and to spread the word.

The Relay for Life will holding a March Relay Rally from 7 to 8 p.m. March 5 at Hampton Inn Suffolk, 1017 Centerbrooke Lane.

“We have rallies every month leading up to the event,” said Tara Asare, community development manager. “The purpose of the fundraisers is to turn in money or ask questions. This is a place for participants to meet once a month and share information about where the money is going.”

Part of the rally is to dress the part, and Relay for Life wants everyone to come wearing green this month to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Anyone that shows up wearing green will receive an extra raffle ticket for door prizes.

There will be plenty of information for the Relay for Life event, and they encourage both new and veteran relayers to attend.

“People who are already involved are highly encouraged to come. There is so much information and they can turn in money,” Asare said. “I highly encourage people who are just getting started and don’t know about the event to come over. It gives them the face-to-face interaction with the committee and the staff, and we help them get started.”

The current goal for Relay for Life is $150,000, and they have raised a little more than $15,000. Participants can continue to raise money until Sept. 30.

“I would say do fundraisers that are fun for them and that they can really enjoy,” Asare said. “Remember that at the end of the day, it all goes to a really good cause. The people raising money are passionate. My best advice is to have fun with it, and if they have any questions, there are a ton of resource available.”

“At the rally, there is a lot of open discussions,” Asare said. “It’s fun games and lots of information. The atmosphere is really laid back and they can ask any questions they need.”