This year’s Relay For Life Androscoggin County will feature several inspiring moments. The public is welcomed and encouraged to share in these activities.

The Survivors and Caregivers Lap:

This is the first and most important Lap of the event. Survivors and Caregivers walk around the track behind the Relay For Life banners. Participants, friends, relatives, and the public cheer and applaud as they pass. The experience is breathtaking for all.

Pantene Beautiful Lengths

The American Cancer Society provides distribution of high-quality, natural hair wigs crafted by their partner Hair/Wear through American Cancer Society wig banks across the country. A licensed cosmetologist will be on hand to cut the lock hair from the donor. This allows a direct and generous opportunity to help those dealing with hair loss due to cancer. Here are some of the guidelines to donate:

Donated hair must be a minimum of 8-inches long (measure hair from just above a ponytail to the end)

Wavy/curly hair in texture is fine; you may straighten hair to measure

Bleached, permanently colored or chemically treated

Hair may not be more than 5 percent gray.

Here’s why:

It takes at least six ponytails to make a Pantene Beautiful Lengths wig, usually collected from different donors with similar yet unique color and texture. For a realistic-looking wig that has consistent color throughout, the donated hair has to be processed and dyed to the same shade. Gray hair and permanently treated hair do not absorb the dyes at the same rate and tend to fade quicker. Donated hair will only be accepted if it can be used.

Lumanaria Ceremony:

As the sun begins to set, participants and volunteers assemble and place Lumanarias around the track.

A Lumanaria is essentially a white paper bag that has been decorated, colored or personalized with a photo of a loved one who is battling or has battled cancer. Some form of light is then placed in each individual bag to illuminate the track as darkness sets in. Quiet time is mandatory as everyone reflects and remembers their loved ones. Lumanarias can be obtained at the event or by visiting the Androscoggin County website at www.relayforlife.org/androscogginme.