Last year's Relay for Life at Norwin was the most successful in its five-year history, but 2009 could be a challenging year for the American Cancer Society's signature fundraiser.

"The economy has hit all the Relays," Denise Martin, Relay at Norwin chairwoman, said. "While that is affecting so many families, cancer is not struggling -- it's getting worse -- and the health care and medication costs are still there despite the recession."

About 40 of 60 Relay for Life events slated for Western Pennsylvania already have taken place. Leslie Harrah, American Cancer Society regional income manager, said preliminary accounting indicates that relay income is down about a 0.5 to 1 percent compared to last year.

Pittsburgh East Relay for Life starts at 10 a.m. Saturday and wraps up at 10 a.m. Sunday at Penn Hills High School Stadium.

The 24-hour event includes music, games, raffles, pony rides from 11:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m., a dunk tank, inflatable slides and food, with the luminaria ceremony to honor those who are battling or have fought cancer beginning at 9 p.m. on Saturday. For details, contact Angela Giacchino at 412-919-1100 or visit www.relayforlife.org/papgheast.

Norwin Relay for Life starts at 11 a.m. July 18, wraps up at 11 a.m. July 19, at Norwin High School Stadium.

The 24-hour event includes music, games, raffles and food, with the luminaria ceremony to honor those who are battling or have fought cancer beginning at 9 p.m. July 18.Contact Denise Martin at Giant Eagle at 724-864-0100 for details.

Harrah said the biggest loss came from smaller corporate sponsorships, which she expected. But volunteers and teams bringing in pledges and sponsorships have offset much of that lost revenue.

Although corporate sponsorships are down, Harrah said, more teams and volunteers surfaced. This year, across the Western Pennsylvania region, 2,425 teams participated, which is about 7 percent more than last year.

"Many of our teams are churches or family-and-friend teams who do the relay in honor or memoriam, and they do very well bringing funds in," she said.

"Maybe one person is going out for a donation and might be getting smaller amounts. There are a lot more people out there doing the same."

Each year, relay goals rise about 9 percent.

Norwin has surpassed its goals each year, Martin said.

In 2008, the annual fundraiser brought in $101,000 to assist in cancer research and patient support and services.

But this year's $113,000 goal could be tough.

"I would love to say we're going to meet the goal, but it's hard to say, but I think we're going to come doggone close," Martin said.

In Murrysville, 667 participants on 62 teams and raised about $125,000 of their $137,000 goal, according to Laura Lopez, American Cancer Society community income development director.

The Pittsburgh East Relay for Life, which covers 16 communities, including Plum, Monroeville and Penn Hills, has seen an expanded participation rate, Angela Giacchino, American Cancer Society staff coordinator, said. Its goal rose from $62,000 to $68,000 this year.

"Unfortunately, pretty much everyone has been touched by cancer in some way, and it's devastating," Giacchino said. "People want to do their part to get involved, and if they can't give monetarily, they usually give time.

"So compared to last year, we're even, if not ahead, with our participation."

About 25 teams registered for the Pittsburgh East Relay as of last week, and about 50 teams are signed up for Norwin, not including cancer survivors participating.

"We anticipate additional people to continue to register, which is typical before an event," she said. "It will increase tremendously in the next week."

Although they are not required to continue raising funds, Lopez said some teams are going to hold fundraisers all summer. Teams are not required to raise funds outside of Relay, even if their goals are not hit, but many of them are driven to keep going.

"Our request for services from cancer patients and families are up, and the volunteers know that," she said.

"They feel very driven to help us, so they look for ways to keep going with things like spaghetti dinners, dances or other events."

Martin said although it's nothing new for the Relay for Life at Norwin, year-round activities could help sagging Relays meet and even surpass their goals.

"At Relay, I carry a notebook for when people give me ideas (for fundraisers)," she said. "The day after, we start planning new events. We're always going."