PARIS — The American Cancer Relay For Life of Oxford Hills will hold a kickoff rally at 6 p.m. Feb. 25 at the Four Seasons Function Center on Route 26.

Plans for this year’s Relay For Life, June 15 and June 16 at the Gouin Field in South Paris, will be announced at the rally.

“Anyone wishing to learn more about the Relay For Life or wanting to participate in some way is welcome,” said Heather Bossie, one of the organizers.

Last year, nearly 300 participants, including nearly 50 cancer survivors, raised almost $40,000 for research, treatment and programs to aid individuals and families dealing with cancer. The previous year, the effort raised just over $30,000 with 160 participants.

Bossie said the rally will provide an opportunity for people to sign up as teams and volunteer as an individuals. Additionally, she said, survivors can get support and businesses can learn about sponsorships.

“We like to have teams be between 12 and 15 people,” Bossie said. “We have had teams from local businesses, banks, schools, churches, etc., asking with teams that are made up of family and/or friends.”

According to information from Relay For Life of Oxford Hills, the nationwide Relay For Life movement began in 1985, when Dr. Gordy Klatt, a colorectal surgeon, took the first step of his 24-hour walk around a track in Tacoma, Wash. He raised $27,000 to support the American Cancer Society.

In 2011, more than 3.5 million people in 5,146 communities in the U.S., along with communities in 21 other countries, will gather to take part in the program.

More information is available at the Relay For Life of Oxford Hills website. www.relayforlife.org/oxfordhillsme.