When the Norwin Relay for Life takes place on July 19 and 20, the traditions carried on from year to year will get a new addition.

This year, along with Relays for Life across the country, the Norwin Relay will debut a new Fight Back ceremony, which coincides with the Relay's new slogan: "Celebrate, remember, fight back."

The new event comes out of the American Cancer Society's desire to extend the message of the Relay beyond its two-day length.

"The Fight Back portion of it is basically to empower people to fight back 365 days of the year," said Teresa Segelson, cancer control specialist for the American Cancer Society.

Like other ceremonies across the country, the Norwin Relay will feature a guest speaker on July 19.

Donald Clements, a stage four prostate cancer survivor, will speak about his experiences and ongoing treatment.

Following Clements' talk, some of the Relay attendees will take the microphone to make personal pledges to fight back against cancer.

For the past several months, volunteers with the Norwin Relay have been encouraging people to sign pledges to take action, from wearing sunscreen to driving relatives to a mammogram.

Ben Wren, a member of the Relay's Fight Back committee, explained that the previous pledges focused on specific cancers or aspects of the fight against cancer. The pledges at the Relay, he said, will be more general, but still inspirational.

"It's just encouraging them to do something to fight back against cancer," he said.

Fellow committee member Kathy Main said the example set by the people reading pledges should help inspire others to take up the cause.

A cancer survivor herself, Main said pledges can be as simple as listening to and supporting those with cancer, something she knows from experience helps.

"Listening is big, just being there," she said.

After the pledges are read, people will have the chance to take white flags planted in the ground, and take a lap around the track carrying them. Each flag represents a person with or a survivor of cancer in the Norwin community.

The ceremony will also feature three banners.

The banners have been on display through out the community, including at Norwin High School, for several months.

During those months people have taken the time to write their own pledges on the banners, and during the Relay people will have the chance to add their own messages of hope and dedication.

Wren, Main and the other member of the committee said fighting back does not just have to be confined to the Norwin community.

They emphasized the importance of advocating cancer related issues and lobbying politicians about cancer legislations.

Wren pointed to the indoor smoking ban recently passed by the Pennsylvania legislature as an example of the kinds of things that happen when people make their voices known.

Although the Fight Back ceremony joins the Relay this year, the goals it emphasizes have long had a place in the Relay's message, Wren said.

"Fight Back has always been a part of Relay. It's just never had its own moment," he said.

Denise Martin, the chairperson of the Norwin Relay, said in years past that message did not always get the attention it deserved, and she said she was excited about the new ceremony.

For some people, fighting back simply means standing up and speaking out, something the Relay's organizers hope the event will encourage people to do.

"It gives people courage to talk about their own experience with cancer," Wren said.

The American Cancer Society's Norwin Relay for Life will take place on July 19 and 20 at Norwin High School stadium. Nationwide, the Relay for Life is held in over 4,300 communities, and it is expected to raise more than $350 million dollars for cancer research.

Norwin residents can show their support by decorating their homes and businesses in purple, the Relay's official color. Businesses and homeowners can register for decorating contests by calling 412-919-1062 or emailing dawn.keefer@cancer.org.

On July 11 residents are asked to wear purple to show their support for the Relay for Life and local cancer survivors.

For more information about the Relay, visit www.events.cancer.org/parflnorwin