A 24-hour relay race supporting cancer testing and treatment has secured sponsorship from insurer Ironshore.

The Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre’s Relay for Life, which kicks off at 6pm on May 30, will take over the National Sport Centre’s North Field for a full 24 hours as fundraising teams take turns doing laps until 6pm on May 31.

The teams will consist of ten to 15 people, with each member requested to raise $100 to help with support cancer prevention, detection and treatment.

Out of the money raised in the event, which will see participants picnic and camping out when they are not out on the track, 95 percent will stay on the Island to help the Centre provide cancer screening for people who can’t afford the tests.

The funds will also improve access to treatment for cancer — and help with educational programmes against the disease.

In 2012 alone, 236 residents were informed that they had cancer — and there were 82 deaths, according to the Bermuda Cancer and Health’s executive director Tara Soares.

“Those numbers could be lowered through better education and access to treatment, and that’s what the relay is about,” Ms Soares said, calling the event “a fun way for all of us to get involved and do our part to remember those we’ve lost, celebrate our survival and recovery stories and help fight back against this terrible disease”.

Additionally, five percent of the money raised in Bermuda will go to the cancer research, prevention and care programmes run by the American Cancer Society.

The US organisation founded the Relay for Life several years ago, and the concept has flourished since. The race next month will be the first of its kind in Bermuda.

Ironshore was yesterday unveiled as the presenting sponsor of the event. Teams should register by May 15, and can do so by visiting www.bermudarelay.com or calling Bermuda Cancer and Health on 236-1001.