Planning is underway for Brunswick’s 2015 Relay For Life, which kicks off Wednesday with an ice cream social open house at the American Cancer Society office at 1 Bowdoin Mill Island in Topsham from 6-7 p.m.

The kick off this year is in a new location, designed as a casual event that anyone is welcome to attend to sign up for Relay, or just to come meet the Relay For Life of Brunswick committee and learn more about Relay For Life. To RSVP, email amy.stjohn@cancer.org.

“It’s our hope that people will stop by at their convenience between 6 and 7 to meet the committee, ask questions, pick up information,” said Relay For Life of Brunswick committee chair Wendy McKenney.

There will be an opportunity for people to register Relay, she said, get anything they may need, “and just socialize and kick off Relay.”

There will also be information about luminaria and for youth who want to participate. Organizers also note this year there is no registration fee, although they hope people will still endeavor to raise a minimum of $100.

This year’s theme for Relay is 30 Years Strong. This year, the local Relay For Life will take place Friday and Saturday, May 15-16, at Brunswick High School. The committee aims to have 120 cancer survivors at this year’s Relay and raise $85,000 this year. More information can be found online a t www.relayforlife.org/brunswickme or at Relay for Life – Brunswick, Maine on Facebook.

Relay For Life was born 30 years ago in Tacoma, Washington, when Dr. Gordy Klatt, a Tacoma colorectal surgeon, wanted to raise money for his local ACS office and show support for all of his patients who had battled cancer.

In May 1985, Klatt, a marathon runner, spent a grueling 24 hours circling the track at Baker Stadium at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma and ran more than 83 miles. Nearly 300 of his friends, family and patients watched as he ran and walked the course, donating money to run or walk with Klatt for 30 minutes. His efforts raised $27,000 to fight cancer.

As he circled the track, Klatt thought about how others could take part in his mission to fight cancer. In the next few months, he pulled together a small committee to plan the first team relay event, known as the City of Destiny Classic 24- Hour Run Against Cancer.

The event now takes place in 5,000 communities in the United States and 19 other countries. The American Cancer Society’s largest fundraiser, Relay For Life enables the organization to affect the lives of those touched by cancer within the community by supporting cancer research, as well as providing cancer patients with services such as transportation to treatment, free lodging, and round-the-clock support.

The American Cancer Society office is located above Sea Dog Brewing Company in Topsham.

dmoore@timesrecord.com