Local luminaria ceremony to be shared on Facebook
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Relay For Life of Walworth County will now be held virtually on Saturday, Aug. 1 and organizers plan to feature a luminaria ceremony in an effort to personalize the event for area participants and supporters.
Cancer patients are some of the most vulnerable to COVID-19. Hosting the local Relay For Life event online allows everyone – including cancer patients, survivors and their caregivers – to safely join with others to celebrate, remember, and fight back.
“With our local Relay For Life and other events that fuel the American Cancer Society’s mission essentially grounded due to COVID-19, the fight against cancer is at risk,” said Maddie Petre, Community Development Manager for Relay For Life of Walworth County.
“But it’s a fight that can’t be cancelled, postponed, or rescheduled. Cancer won’t stop. So, neither can we,” she added.
The Relay For Life of Walworth County joins nearly 50 others from across Wisconsin in holding their Relay event virtually on Saturday, Aug. 1. All of these Relay events will participate in fundraising and team recruitment activities leading up to the event and on that day, participants will “gather” on the local event Facebook page for survivor celebrations, sponsor recognition, and ceremonies typically held at Relay events.
A statewide Relay For Life event will be held on Facebook the same day on the American Cancer Society of Wisconsin page.
Keeping it local
One of the local events planned will be a recorded luminaria ceremony, which will be played on the Walworth County Relay’s Facebook page that day. It will feature bags honoring or remembering loved ones who have been touched by cancer.
The bags will be sold for $5 each with 100 percent of the proceeds supporting the local Relay event.
Two bag distribution days are scheduled:
- Tuesday, July 14 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Delavan Piggly Wiggly, 1414 Geneva St.;
- Saturday, July 18 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Elkhorn’s Saturdays on the Square downtown.
Supplies will be available at both fundraising events listed above for people wanting to decorate the bags they purchase on site.
Supporters who prefer to take their purchased bags home can do so but should drop them off by Thursday, July 23 at the following libraries: Delavan – Aram Public Library, 404 E. Walworth Ave.; East Troy – East Troy Public Library, 3094 Graydon Ave.; Elkhorn – Matheson Memorial Library, 101 N. Wisconsin St.; Whitewater – Irvin L. Young Memorial Library, 431 W. Center St.
If more Walworth County libraries are added as drop off locations, an announcement will be made in next week’s newspapers and via the Relay for Life of Walworth County Facebook page.
There is also the option of donating money for a virtual bag via the Relay For Life website and the American Cancer Society of Wisconsin Facebook page. The donation cost for that is also $5 per bag and allows supporters to submit a name for each bag they purchase.
Support needed
During this challenging time, patients, survivors, and their caregivers are turning to the American Cancer Society for information, resources, and support. Funds raised through Relay For Life help the American Cancer Society continue programs that are critical for cancer patients now, and in the future. That includes being available day or night at 1-800-227-2345 and the “COVID-19 and Cancer” resources at cancer.org/coronavirus.
“Cancer patients are counting on the American Cancer Society more than ever before. We simply can’t let cancer gain any ground. Join our local Relay to support the American Cancer Society and help save the fight against cancer,” said Petre.
Join the fight against cancer from home and be a part of the Relay For Life of Walworth County by visiting RelayForLife.org/walworthcountywi.
About ACS
The American Cancer Society is a global grassroots force of 1.5 million volunteers dedicated to saving lives, celebrating lives, and leading the fight for a world without cancer.
From breakthrough research, to free lodging near treatment, a 24/7/365 live helpline, free rides to treatment, and convening powerful activists to create awareness and impact, the Society is the only organization attacking cancer from every angle.
For more information visit cancer.org.
