Luminarias honor cancer survivors, victims

A special luminaria ceremony during the American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Stoddard County remembers those lost to cancer and honors those who have battled and won. The luminaria candle lighting to represent these individuals is on Friday, May 3rd at 11 p.m. at Dexter West City Park.

Anyone who would like to purchase a luminaria may do so by contacting Courtney White at 417-861-6500. Each luminaria candle is $5 and may be purchased in memory of or in honor of a loved one.

Luminary bags are also available at The Daily Statesman office.

"It's a highly emotional time and a touching sight when all the bags with candles are illuminated around the track," said Jennifer Hartlein, event co-chair. "We hope to sell enough to light the entire walking track."

Relay For Life is a fun-filled, overnight event. Teams of eight to 15 members gather with tents and sleeping bags to participate in the largest fundraising walk in the nation. Relay For Life unites friends, families, businesses, hospitals, schools and churches -- people from all walks of life. Teams seek donations prior to the Relay, all with the goal of supporting a cure for cancer.

Stoddard County cancer survivors will kick off the Relay For Life on May 3rd at 6:30 p.m. at Dexter's West City Park with the official survivors' lap, then the rest of the participants will join the fun. Information about purchasing a luminaria, forming a team or walking in the survivors' lap is available by calling 573-334-9352. For information on cancer, call the American Cancer Society's 24-hour help line at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.

The American Cancer Society combines an unyielding passion with nearly a century of experience to save lives and end suffering from cancer. We save lives by helping people stay well by preventing cancer or detecting it early; helping people get well by being there for them during and after a cancer diagnosis; by finding cures through investment in groundbreaking discovery; and by fighting back by rallying lawmakers to pass laws to defeat cancer and by rallying communities worldwide to join the fight.