Grab your walking shoes and get ready to join people across the nation in taking steps to eliminate cancer during the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life walks in western Kentucky.

Funds raised through the walk help support the society’s programs, equating to more than 56,000 services to Kentuckians with cancer last year, said Stephanie Elder, area director for the ACS, in a news release.

“Relay for Life draws attention to the progress being made in the fight against cancer,” Elder stated. “Many participants are our family, friends and neighbors who have faced cancer themselves. Their involvement helps bring hope that, together, we can eliminate cancer as a major health problem.”

Walks across the region begin in May:

n Calloway County, May 4-5, from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., at Stewart Stadium in Murray.

n Livingston County, May 4-5, from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., at South Livingston Elementary School in Smithland.

n Carlisle County, May 11-12, from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., at Carlisle County Park in Bardwell.

n McCracken County, May 11-12, from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., at Carson Park in Paducah.

n Fulton County, June 1-2, from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., at Pontotoc Park in Fulton.

n Hickman County, June 1-2, from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., at Hickman County High School track in Clinton.

n Ballard County, June 8-9, from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., at Ballard County Schools’ bus loop in La Center.

n Caldwell County, June 8-9, from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., at Caldwell County High School in Princeton.

n Graves County, June 8-9, from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., at Graves County High School football stadium in Mayfield.

n Marshall County, June 8-9, from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., at Marshall County High School in Draffenville.

For more information, visit www.relayforlife.org.