As volunteer chairperson of Shoreline Relay for Life, Linda Trudeau has a special place in her heart for this life-changing event, coming Saturday and Sunday, May 18 and 19.

Now in her 14th year as a volunteer organizer for the American Cancer Society effort, Linda can easily describe what this weekend's event will be like at the Walsh Intermediate School (WIS) track in Branford. With teams from Guilford, Madison, Branford, North Branford, and East Haven participating, hundreds will attend, helping to raise more than $100,000.

"It's very uplifting, starting with the Survivor's Lap and then with teams of people with one person on the track at all times. Everybody walks for a different cause; everybody walks for a different reason. They all have their stories," says Linda.

Linda's own story of involvement as a Relay for Life volunteer organizer began at precisely 9 p.m. in Amity 15 years ago, as a member of a team organized for a colleague's friend diagnosed with cancer.

"At 9 o'clock at night, in the dark, there's the luminaria ceremony, which is where it becomes very emotional. It's where we honor those who are battling cancer and remember those that lost the fight, and it's one of the things that actually roped me in. I remember the very first Relay I went to, I showed up at the track and the luminaria bags were lit around the track. It was beautiful, until you realize what all those bags represent. It was just so moving," says Linda.

Linda put her name in as future Relay volunteer. At that time, there was no Shoreline Relay for Life.

"A year after that, I was contacted by someone from the American Cancer Society, who said they were considering a relay on the shoreline. I was the first chairperson for the first Relay and I've been involved ever since," says Linda, who has taken on different roles through the years.

Relay for Life of the Shoreline was held for many years in Guilford, where Linda has worked for more than 25 years. The former Town Hall staff member went on to work for the Board of Education and is currently business manager for Guilford Public Schools.

Just as Linda has stuck with her support of Relay for Life of the Shoreline, several teams taking the track this weekend are returning for yet another Relay.

"Many teams are repeats who have been around for a while. It's also become very popular with the high school youth population, pulling a lot of teams from Guilford, Madison, and Branford," says Linda, adding, "you can really participate at any age. Younger walkers just need to have one chaperone for every five team members 18 and under."

Linda and her core group of volunteers have been hard at work organizing and planning the Relay for many months, successfully encouraging dozens of teams to pre-register and begin fundraising. But day-of registration is also available to anyone who wants to sign on May 18 and volunteers are "always welcome," as well, Linda adds.

"Last year we had over 700 participants," says Linda. "People can definitely register day-of; all of the forms are online so they can print them out in advance and bring their paperwork."

Linda also invites cancer survivors, and their caregivers, to come to WIS to be a part of the opening ceremony's Survivor's Lap (register at 11 a.m. on May 18).

"After the lap, we have a reception for them and a raffle drawing, and [the survivors] each leave with a little gift," says Linda.

Many cancer survivors populate Relay teams, too, Linda notes. Their inspirational presence "serves as a reminder that our community is not immune to this disease and that, by participating in Relay, we're joining with the American Cancer Society's efforts to create a world with less cancer and more birthdays," she says.

All team members can look forward to hours of entertainment on the main stage, hosted once again by News Channel 8's Chris Velardi. Each team is encouraged to decorate its overnight tents (and themselves) in any variation on this year's Relay theme, "Holidays." Prizes will be awarded throughout the event.

In addition, Zumba demonstrations, dancers, live bands, a new kids' care crafts program, special laps (think Holiday Sweaters and Just for Kids), food, and beverages will keep team members motivated during the marathon relay effort.

It's an around the clock event-because "cancer is a 24-hour-a-day fight," says Linda. "It doesn't end at sunset."

Shoreline Relay for Life is Saturday and Sunday, May 18 and 19 at Branford's Walsh Intermediate School, 185 Damascus Road. Gates open at 11 a.m.; relay begins at noon, May 18. Luminaria may be purchased for $5 (2 for $10 online) by visiting www.relayforlife.org/shorelinect. To learn how to form a team or get involved as a volunteer, call 1-800-227-2345 or visit relayforlife.org.