Throughout the night during Relay For Life events across the country, special luminaries are lit to remember and honor individuals that have been impacted by cancer.
The Carter County Relay For Life is staying active over the month of February and now have luminaria bags available for purchase.
“Bags are on sale now and will stay on sale until the night of the event,” Kathy Thomason, Publicity Chair for the group, told the Elizabethton Star Tuesday. “We would love for people to buy them as soon as possible. During the night of the event, it gets a little rough getting the bags sold and aligning them across the track.”
Luminarias are being sold for $5 with all proceeds going to the American Cancer Society.
“We have different bags for sale,” she said. “White bags can be decorated either in memory or in honor of a loved one that has battled cancer. They can be decorated with pictures, designs, roses and other things. We also have bags available for pets that have been lost or are battling cancer. We have a separate part of the track dedicated to the pets.”
Thomason added Relay also has purple bags available to honor caregivers that assist individuals that are battling with or have battled cancer.
The luminaria celebration will take place during the Carter County Relay For Life event, scheduled for Friday, June 23. Bags will be lit at 9:30 p.m. and will be extinguished in the morning hours with the new day signifying a new hope in the battle against cancer, according to Thomason.
While bags are being sold, volunteers are rallying the troops and setting the stage for multiple events over the months. This month, Carter County Relay For Life is holding a benefit concert at Southside Christian Church to honor David Vanover, Gideon Purchase and others impacted by cancer. The event is scheduled for February 25 and will last from 6 to 9 p.m. with various performers on tap.
Christy Dills, organizer of the event, is also seeking photos of cancer survivors to be proudly displayed throughout the night. Individuals can email photos to bulldogplumbing@hotmail.com to be featured during the night. Proceeds raised during the event will go to the Carter County Relay For Life.
Thomason encourages individuals that haven’t gotten involved before to take part in what is expected to be an exciting Relay season.
“We’re always looking for volunteers and people that are wanting to create new teams,” she said. “Our group meets during the first Thursday of each of month at Medical Care at 5:45 p.m. and we encourage people to attend if possible. We know people are busy, but it’s an exciting time and every little bit of time donated helps the fight against cancer.”
The Carter County Relay For Life has a goal of raising $70,000 this year. All proceeds gathered, just like with the bags, go directly to the American Cancer Society.
Thomason said there are a variety of ways to help, with the Relay For Life currently selling “HOPE” cards that feature discounts to various restaurants within the region.
For more information on how to get involved, visit the Relay For Life of Carter County, Tn Facebook page or contact Thomason by email at Kathy.Thomason@edwardjones.com or call (423) 543-1181.