AUBURN – A special luminaria ceremony will be held during the American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Androscoggin County at 9 p.m. Friday, June 23. The event will remember those lost to cancer and honor those who have survived. Luminarias will be lit and placed around the track at Edward Little High School to represent these individuals and light the way for Relay For Life participants.

Anyone wishing to purchase a luminaria (candle lantern) may do so by contacting Diane Gatchell, luminaria chairwoman, at 782-0786 or e-mail [email protected].

Each luminaria bag is $10 and they will be available for purchase until the day of the event.

“As the luminarias light up the night, it is so painfully clear why we are here, and why we need to continue to raise money for cancer research, education, advocacy and service,” said Gatchell. “We hope to sell enough to light the entire area.”

Relay For Life is a fun-filled overnight event. Teams of eight to 15 members will gather with tents and sleeping bags to join more than 4,000 communities nationwide that are hosting relays. Relay For Life brings together friends, families, businesses, hospitals, schools and churches. Teams seek sponsorship prior to the relay, with the goal of eliminating cancer.

Cancer survivors (anyone who has ever been diagnosed with cancer) from the Lewiston/Auburn area will kick off the Relay For Life at 6 p.m. Friday, June 23, with the official survivors’ lap; then the rest of the participants join.

Information about purchasing a luminaria, forming a team or walking in the survivors’ lap is available by calling Debra Mansur at 777-3843 or e-mail [email protected].

For more information on cancer, call the American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, or visit www.cancer.org.