Planning for the 2009 American Cancer Society SCV Relay For Life will begin Tuesday, Oct. 14, when the event planning committee holds its first meeting at 6:30 p.m. in the Henry Mayo Newhall Health Foundation office in Valencia.

The meeting is open to anyone who would like to be involved in this year's Relay event, which is planned for May 30-31, 2009.

On the agenda for the first meeting will be introduction of this year's committee chairs and assignments for the various subcommittees that organize the 24-hour walking event.

Last year's event drew 109 teams, thousands of walkers and topped a fundraising goal of $560,000 for the first time in the local Relay's 10-year history.

Local residents interested in serving on the committee can attend the Oct. 14 meeting at 23871 McBean Parkway, Valencia.

Additional information is available at info@scvrelay.org.

The American Cancer Society (ACS) is the nationwide, community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem. ACS works toward that goal by preventing cancer, saving lives from cancer, and diminishing suffering from cancer by supporting research, education, advocacy and service.

Cancer information is available 24 hours a day at www.cancer.org or by calling 800-ACS-2345.

Santa Clarita Valley Relay For Life information is available by calling 661-298-0886, option 3, or contacting staff member Danielle Anziano at Danielle.Anziano@cancer.org.