AUBURN — The American Cancer Society Relay For Life® of Androscoggin County will provide the opportunity for people to come together to remember loved ones lost to cancer and honor those who have won their battle during the annual event on Saturday, June 16, at the Edward Little High School athletic field.

At the overnight relay, teams will camp out and take turns walking or running around the track. Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the event.

As the sun sets over campsites and darkness falls, candles illuminated in bags called luminaria, each bearing the name of someone who has battled cancer, will glow. Some celebrate cancer survivors, while others honor and remember those gone. Luminaria will be lit at 9:30 p.m. to represent the individuals.

For a donation of $10, anyone desiring to honor or remember someone with a luminaria may do so by contacting Belinda Samson at 240-5488 or by visiting www.relayforlife.org/androscogginme.

Between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday, June 9,  the Androscoggin County teams will set up tables at area businesses to allow the public to obtain a lumanaria, which may be personalized to honor their special individual.

“It is a beautiful sight when all the bags with candles are illuminated around the track,” said Belinda Samson, Relay For Life Androscoggin chairwoman. “The luminaria ceremony is a moving way to celebrate what cancer survivors have overcome, while motivating the community to continue to fight the disease that claims too many lives.”

Prior to the Luminaria Ceremony, the Survivors’ Lap will kick off the Relay For Life at 4:15 p.m. June 16 as survivors and their caregivers circle the track, surrounded by friends and family.

Also a part of the relay event is the “Fight Back” Ceremony, in which a community leader will inspire relay participants with his or her own commitment and will challenge them to take a personal pledge of action (e.g., stop smoking, healthier eating habits, exercise regularly) in fighting back.

For information about making a luminaria donation, forming a team or walking in the Survivors Lap, call 431-3799 or visit RelayForLife.org/androscogginme.

To learn more about the American Cancer Society or to get help, call day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.