BINGHAMTON, N.Y. -- The city of Binghamton is turning purple in preparation for this year's Relay for Life event.

Mayor Matt Ryan was joined by cancer survivors at a press conference to declare Tuesday "Paint the Town Purple Day."

Community members and businesses are asked to wear or display the color throughout the coming weeks. The goal is to raise awareness about the importance of this year's Relay for Life in Binghamton. The event will be held on June 15th and 16th at Broome Community College.

Denise Woods, American Cancer Society Director of Special Events said, “Ask everybody you know to just come and support us and show their support of cancer survivors because we are an organization about wanting to help people celebrate more birthdays every year."

Mayor Ryan said, “I'm a survivor myself of cancer from back in 2000, and I realize how important this event is not only for those who are suffering with the illness and all the different types of cancer in our society, but for those who are remembering those who lost the battle to cancer."

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the city's Relay for Life event. Interested participants can visit www.relayforlife.org to register.