In an effort to raise awareness, support fundraising efforts and simply tell the stories of both victory and loss, The Vicksburg Post is calling on the community to help create a special section dedicated to the stories of cancer in our community.

The newspaper, in conjunction with the upcoming Relay for Life, is publishing a section Thursday, April 30 that includes stories, submitted by residents, telling of their personal fight against cancer, or the fights put up by their loved ones.

“When it comes to the fight against cancer, it is not a fight that is waged alone,” Post publisher Tim Reeves said. “The fight is waged by not only the person with cancer, but their friends, their family, those they work with, those they go to church with. Cancer is an opponent that requires an entire community and that is the beauty of the annual Relay for Life.”

Residents can submit their story to The Post by emailing it to Post managing editor Paul Barry, or bringing it to The Post’s office, located at 1601-F North Frontage Road, no later than Friday, April 17 at noon. Those submitting the article are asked to keep the story to no more than 500 words, include a high-resolution photograph and to include all the contact information needed to reach the writer if needed.

“Our goal is to create a section that shares all the stories that will be submitted,” Reeves said. “If we are able to do that are not, we will make sure the stories are shared on our website and through our social media outlets. These are stories that need to be shared.”

Warren County’s Relay For Life 2015 is scheduled for Friday, May 1, from 6 p.m. to midnight at Vicksburg High School’s Memorial Stadium. The event will begin with an opening ceremony, followed by laps around the track, a solemn lighting of luminarias and conclude with a celebration of life.

The American Cancer Society is organizing the Relay For Life community event to raise money to help find a cure for cancer.

To more information on how to become involved with ACS CAN or Relay For Life contact Scarlet Fowler at scarlet.fowler@cancer.org or Tonya Nelson at tnelson@diamondjacks.com.

For more information on submitted your story, or the story of a loved one, contact The Post at 601-636-4545.