With 145 days until the Relay For Life cancer walk, the "Be a Part of the Solution" Kick-Off Extravaganza party has been scheduled for Monday, Dec. 3.

It will be held from 5- 6:30 p.m. at the Fred Rhodes Memorial Pavilion in Roberts Point Park.

It is intended to make the community aware of the cancer walk events; solicit support by signing up volunteers, team leaders, team members and survivors to walk laps; solicit donations; show how cancer affects Port Aransas and we all can make a difference, said Lisa Shelton, who will preside at the event.

The party will be tailgate style, with snacks, soft drinks, wine and beer. A Kid Area will feature face painting, temporary tattoos and more to occupy the children as adults learn about the Relay.

A short film will be shown of Port Aransas community members speaking on how cancer has affected them.

An American Cancer Society (ACS) Hero of Hope representative, Rebecca Esparza, will give an inspirational speech. Hero of Hope representatives are cancer survivors with extraordinary stories, and are chosen for each region by the ACS staff partners. Esparza is the representative for the region covering Port Aransas. She lives in Corpus Christi.

Tawnya Little, chairman of the Kingsville Relay For Life, will speak on Cancer Prevention Study III, and solicit volunteers for a new ACS research study for the next generation.

This event is designed to get community members concerned about cancer and fellow residents in a fun, friendly environment.

A Sign Up Relay Rally will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 1, at the Family Center IGA, 418 S. Alister St. Relay committee chairmen will try to get a head start on getting people involved in the Relay events.

The Relay for Life of Port Aransas is an all night walk that begins at 7 p.m. Friday, April 25, and continues through 7 a.m. the next day. Teams of up to 15 people are formed to walk through the night for pledge money.

For more information, call Lynne Ahlstrom at (361) 332-1440, Lisa Shelton at 749-4507, Monika Czerwinski at (702) 682-7154 or Ann Appling at (361) 443-7121.

Information and sign-up is available at the Relay For Life of Port Aransas Web site, http://events. cancer.org/rflportaransastx.