Clark Cox, news editor of The Pilot, is honorary chairman for the Moore County 2000 Relay for Life.

Relay for Life is a 24-hour marathon walk, scheduled for Sept. 16-17 in the Pinecrest High School stadium. Teams of 10 to 12 gather donations for the American Cancer Society to fund cancer research and treatment. Relay for Life Commit-tee Chairman Grant Roper said this year’s goal is to have at least 100 teams walking, with each team member raising at least $100.

With corporate contributions and the sale of memorials and memorabilia, Roper said, the Relay for Life Committee hopes to raise $200,000 this year. Last year’s Relay for Life in Moore County raised $130,000.

“We had never had an honorary chairman in the six previous years of Relay for Life in this county,” Roper said. “But we had seen other fund-raising groups in the region with honorary chairmen — usually someone who is sympathetic to the cause or who is noteworthy. We felt that Clark Cox fit the bill on both counts. We knew that he was sympathetic to our cause, because of his own battle against cancer. And he is noteworthy, by virtue of being news editor of The Pilot.

“Our hope is that, with his experience, he can bring a fresh slant to his coverage of Relay for Life, helping us get the word out to more people so that we can raise more money — and maybe get us all one day closer to finding a cure for cancer.”

Cox writes occasional columns in The Pilot on the progress of his struggles with cancer.

“There is nothing special or unique about my battle against cancer,” Cox said. “Many others are going through the same battle. I accepted the role of honorary chairman in the spirit of representing all those others who may be helped by new developments in cancer research and treatment. I hope my columns will help to raise awareness about cancer and the need for early diagnosis and treatment.”