Luminarias are Bright Reminders of Lives Touched by Cancer.

Perhaps no other symbol is as meaningful as the luminarias. A luminaria is a white-lit bag (each has a small battery operated candle placed in it) that represents a person who has fought against cancer, survived or lost the battle.

It serves as a vivid reminder for those walking the Lake Forest Sports track each year during the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life of Lake Forest. It is very emotional for the individuals whose lives have been touched by cancer.

This is the perfect time to honor a loved one or friend by dedicating a luminaria for a $10 donation which will be placed along the track at Relay to shine a “light of hope” during the luminaria ceremony.

Each year, approximately 300 luminarias are placed around the track and illuminate it.

To include a Photo of your loved one in the Luminaria Video Presentation, you can- Mail a Photo (paper) that you don’t need back to Eileen Shaughnessy at 23301 Ridge Route, #116, Laguna Hills, CA 92653 no later than July 10, 2016.

For a digital photo, please send it to Eileen@regencyre.com no later than July 28, 2016. The photo needs to be in a jpg format (.tiff or .png). In both photos include your name as the dedicator, phone number and include the person’s name in the photo. Add “In Memory Of” or “In Honor Of.”

At 9 pm the Luminaria ceremony begins. Some guest speakers share their stories and each participant is given a candle to light in remembrance of a loved one. At that time there is a video presentation of those honored and memorialized.

Following the Luminaria Ceremony, participants will walk a lap around the track while our singer quietly sings, Amazing Grace.

For more than 30 years, Relay for Life events across the nation have brought community members together to celebrate, remember and fight back. Luminarias raise money for the American Cancer Society and its efforts to put an end to the disease that has affected so many lives.

It’s hard to explain the emotions driving the event unless you’ve been to one. Join us for Relay and walk a lap or two to see it for your selves.

The 11th Relay for Life/Lake Forest 2016 event begins on Saturday, July 30 at 10 am at the Lake Forest Sports Park, 28000 Rancho Parkway, Lake Forest, CA 92610 with opening ceremonies followed by the Survivors lap.

For more information for the event go www.relayforlife.org/lakeforestca or www.facebook.com/LakeForestRelay/. If you have any questions, please call Cheryl Bartetzko/Event Lead at 949-981-8129 or email at chspeak@cox.net.

Feel free to contact Margot Ferron, 949/309-1235 or gomargotgo@aol.com.