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 Saddleback College track each year during the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life of Mission Viejo on June 4, 2016. It is very emotional for the individuals whose lives have been touched by cancer.

This is the perfect time for you to honor a loved one or friend by donating for a luminaria which will be placed along the track at Relay to shine a “light of hope” during the luminaria ceremony. Each year, approximately 500 luminarias that raise $10 each are placed around the track and illuminate it.

The luminaria are later used to spell words such as "HOPE" and "CURE" and the words illuminate during the Luminaria ceremony. 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.

Following the Luminaria Ceremony, participants will walk a lap around the track as Amazing Grace is being performed on the bagpipes by Steve Ricotta. This is a tradition to give respect to those who are ill with cancer or to those whose lives were lost.

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. Please join us for Relay and walk a lap or two to see it for your selves.

The 22nd Relay for Life/Mission Viejo 2016 event begins on Saturday, June 4 at 9 am with opening ceremonies followed by the Survivors lap. The Luminaria lighting ceremony will be held at 9 pm. The event concludes at 9 am on Sunday, June 6, 2016.

For more information or to register for the event please go to www.mvrelay.org. If you have any questions, you want to join the fight or even get a luminaria please call Margot Ferron, Publicity/Marketing Chair at 949/309-1235, gomargotgo@aol.com or Jerry Silverstein, Luminaria, Co-Chair.