The tri-town and Wareham will join forces this year in the fight against cancer.

For the first time, the tri-town’s and Wareham’s annual American Cancer Society Relay for Life events will become one event, held June 18 and 19 at the Wareham Middle School track.

“It took a lot of time to make the decision, and it was not taken lightly,” said Kelsey Newton, a Relay for Life community manager.

Relay for Life is a national American Cancer Association overnight fundraiser that raises money for cancer research. It operates on a volunteer basis and relies on community efforts.

By combining the two, Newton said organizers will cut costs, offer additional activities and send more money to the American Cancer Society.

“Our intention is to create a really strong event,” Newton said. “We’re excited to see how much bigger we can make it, how much we can grow it in the future.”

The Relay for Life of Tri-Town and Wareham will hold a kickoff event on Feb. 23 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Wareham Middle School cafeteria. Everyone who wants to be involved is invited.

The kickoff will feature an ice cream social with family activities, games and a information scavenger hunt.

Attendees may register a team for the event at the kickoff.

Newton said organizers plan to keep the event combined and continue to host it in Wareham for now. Newton said it’s too soon to say if the location will alternate between Wareham and the tri-town.

“We’re open to having it in Marion in the future, but right now we’re focused on having Wareham host,” Newton said.

Organizers said they are also looking forward to the change.

“We are excited to combine two awesome and unique events to make one big amazing Relay!” wrote the co-event leaders, Megan Murphy and Tricia Hackett via email. “This will be such a great year.”

Last year, the tri-town event raised more than $35,000 and featured 110 participants for the 10th annual Relay for Life. In Wareham, 227 people took part and raised $77,000 during the event’s 13th anniversary in town.

For more information or to register a team, visit relayforlife.org and search for Tri-Town and Wareham.