If you’ve attended a Relay For Life, you know about the signature elements that make up the event. If you’re new to the annual walk to raise awareness for cancer research, here’s what you can expect.

Celebration of Survivors
Relay kicks off by celebrating local cancer survivors. Anyone currently living with cancer or cancer survivors are invited to attend and join in the celebration. Event attendees line the track during the kick off lap and cheer on survivors.

Organizers  suggest bringing noise makers, pom-poms or anything you can think of to cheer on those survivors.

Celebration of Caregivers
After the Survivor Lap, caregivers acknowledged for their ongoing support. A caregiver is a friend or family member who helps, or helped, a person with cancer. Healthcare workers are encouraged to attend.

Attendees are again asked to line the track and show their support of caregivers.

Meaningful Luminaria
The luminaria ceremony is a time to remember those lost to cancer and reflect on the journey of those who have survived. At most events, after the sun sets, Relay teams help light pre-made luminaria bags that are dedicated in honor, or in memory, of a loved one.

If you would like to make a donation or fundraise with luminaria, contact event organizer Helen Allen at 256-709-4019 or helenma1941@gmail.com, or visit relayforlife.org/cullmanal or follow the Relay For Life of Cullman County Facebook page.

Opportunity to Fight Back
Relay is also an opportunity to come together as a community to fight back against cancer. Invite family and friends to attend the event and support relayers’ fundraising efforts. The Team walk is an opportunity for teams to showcase their creative side. Teams can be organizations, churches, businesses or a group supporting their own survivor or caregiver.