NEWPORT-Cocke County Relay for Life 2010's grand celebration will be held Friday and Saturday May 28-29, one week earlier than originally planned.

The celebration had first been planned for the weekend of June 4-5.

"This winter's weather resulted in our schools losing so many days that their calendar has dramatically changed," said Relay Chair Jennifer Smith-Eisenhower on Wednesday morning. "With the school board's decision last night to hold graduation ceremonies for both Cosby and Cocke County High Schools on June 4, we immediately adjusted our plans.

"Our schools' participation in our campaign is an integral part of our campaign," she continued. "Each year Relay for Life teams from our schools raise thousands of dollars for our efforts. We certainly want them to be able to be a part of our celebration."

"We will still hold our grand celebration at Cocke County A & I Fairgrounds," she concluded.

Cocke County Relay for Life 2010 raises money for the American Cancer Society. For the past several years, local efforts have raised over $100,000 each year in the ongoing effort to find cures for cancers and to help ACS's many other programs.