TRUSSVILLE – The East Jefferson Relay For Life Committee has rescheduled its Luminary Lighting Ceremony for Thursday, June 25 at 6:00 p.m. at Trussville Civic Center. Originally scheduled to take place at the Relay For Life of East Jefferson on May 16, the ceremony was postponed due to rain.
Committee Chair Sandi Wilson called the Luminary Ceremony an important part of the annual Relay For Life event.
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“We were disappointed to have cancelled the memorial service at this year’s Relay, but the committee agreed it should take place at a new time and location,” she said. “It’s such a beautiful ceremony and an important part of why we hold Relay For Life, so we felt it would be a shame not to have it. The luminaria really are a highlight of the entire event.”
According to the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life website, the Luminaria Ceremony is a time of remembrance and hope that honors cancer survivors and memorializes those who have lost the battle to cancer. Luminaria are lighted bags, each representing an individual who has fought or is fighting cancer. The bags typically have “In Memory of [Name]” or “In Honor of [Name]” written on them and are often decorated by those who purchase them using markers, photos, or other memorabilia, making them unique to the person they represent.
“The public is welcome to attend and participate as we light the luminaria and take a moment to remember those we have lost and celebrate those who are still in the fight,” Wilson said. “For anyone who’s been affected by cancer, either personally or through a loved one, it’s one of the most moving moments you’ll ever experience.”
To purchase a luminaria and recognize a friend or loved one at the Relay for Life of East Jefferson Luminaria Ceremony, call Mary Catherine Sharp at 918-3239 or visit www.relayforlife.org/eastjeffersonal.
