WOBURN - When it comes to a cause, it is never too early to begin planning for the next event, especially if it allows a chance to bring in a little more money.

That is why Woburn's David Hunt says he wants to start getting the word out now about next year's 20th Annual American Cancer Society's Relay for Life walks and the event on Friday, June 17 at Peabody Veterans Memorial High School.

In particular, Hunt, a Central Court resident in Woburn, hopes to expand on the "Luminarias," already an effective fund raising tool as part of the Relay for Life walks.

The "Luminarias," Hunt explains, are "these bags with a candle that glows through the night along the track at our relay that have a name of a loved one either battling this dreaded disease or have left us as a result."

"My idea is to start now, not to wait until the months before the relay," Hunt said. "Offer them as a unique holiday gift. I would love to see 5,000 of these sold before the relay."

If the goal of 5,000 is reached, at $10 each, that would mean $50,000 at the Peabody event alone.

Due to the loss of a good friend to cancer just a year ago, Hunt, who had volunteered at the five previous Relays for Life, has increased his commitment.

"This year's 'relay' means more to me than ever. On Dec. 11, 2004, Melissa Carter, a very dear friend and the mother of my godchild lost her battle to cancer," Hunt explains.

"She was only 29 years old and leaves behind a beautiful little 8-year-old girl," Hunt says.

In her memory, Hunt is calling this increased commitment to the Luminarias "The Melissa Project."

"Your purchase of a Luminaria will never bring back (Melissa), but it will fund research so someday no other child will have to see their mother die two weeks before Christmas," Hunt said.

To purchase a Luminaria send a $10 donation to the American Cancer Society-Peabody Relay for Life, 9 Riverside Road, Weston, Mass. 02493. Please include the name of the person to be displayed on the Luminaria.

According to Hunt, the name on the Luminaria will also be read at a ceremony that honors those that are "no longer with us or offer hope to those others that are fighting to overcome this disease."

Hunt first became involved with the Relay for Life five years ago when he volunteered as an Emergency Medical Technician "EMT" to provide medical support and event safety at the Peabody relays.

The following year he increased his participation and now has also provided medical support at relays in Arlington, Lawrence, Metheun and North Reading.

For the past two years, Hunt has also served on the committee organizing the Peabody event "providing not only medical support for the event but volunteering as a consultant as a consultant to bring 20 years of event experience to the organization."

The Relay for Life, an 18-hour relay where teams walk the track for 18 hours through the night, raises awareness and the much-needed funds to combat and someday find a cure for this terrible disease.

The Relay for Life takes place across the country and in thousands of locations during the month of June.

For more information on purchasing a Luminaria or forming a team for the Relay for Life, contact Alyse Barbash at 978-535-2819 or visit the website at www.relayforlifepeabody.org.

Money raised at each relay is distributed to local hospitals, cancer treatment centers and to the community for advocacy, education, research, and patient services.

At this year's event in Peabody on Friday, June 17, teams will gather and take turns walking laps beginning with a survivor lap at 6 p.m. The event will conclude at noon on Saturday, June 18.

After nightfall, one of the main highlights of the Relay for Life, will be the Luminaria Ceremony where thousands of luminaria candles dedicated to loved ones line the track and are left burning throughout the night to remind participants of the incredible importance of their contribution.

Anyone looking to join the committee organizing the event, or if there is someone interested in becoming a corporate sponsor, they should contact Deb Rachman at 978-535-0913.