As the fight for cancer continues, orthodontist Dr Jeffrey Meeks and his Island Smiles team will be making laps around the Police Officer's Club track at the eighth annual Relay for Life.

Hosted by the Cancer Society of Jamaica, the relay promises to be as fun-filled and celebratory as last year, as participants show their support by donating their time, money and energy. This will be Island Smiles' fourth year participating in the premier event that honours and remembers those who have won the battle with cancer, and those who have lost. Survivors are given the royal treatment, literally, with a VIP tent and a 'Purple Party' to celebrate their lives.

12-hour event

Scheduled for this weekend, the event will take place between 6 p.m. on Saturday and go until 6 a.m. Sunday morning. There are a plethora of activities for participants, from dominoes to football, to the 5 a.m. karaoke and 6 a.m. socarobics. This year, the Island Smiles booth will put a little pep in everyone's step, offering body painting by Eon and Robbie.

Of course, the most important activity, the relay, will go on all night, with teams working to keep one member on the track at all times. The progression of the night's activities attempts to mirror the phases of cancer, the highs and the lows and coming out of the dark.

Island Smiles' involvement in the Relay for Life is a part of the company's ongoing mission to change and save lives, and to give back to the community of Kingston, and consequently the wider Jamaica. This is one of many charitable endeavours spearheaded by the team, with a blood drive at the 20 Hillcrest office on the calendar for June 23.