As Relay for Life approaches this weekend, the Luminaria Candle of Hope Ceremony promises to be a touching and emotional element of the event.
During the Luminaria Ceremony, all lights will be switched off as around 5,000 candles will light up the night, each representing names of loved ones lost, those who have survived or are still fighting the disease.
Robert O’Connor, Relay Chairperson, said: “The Luminaria Ceremony is a way to celebrate cancer survivorship as well as remembering those who are no longer with us.
“It’s also an expression of letting people know that they are not alone.”
Robert revealed that there is a surprise at the bottom of each bag holding a candle that will be lit on the night.
Each bag will be personalised with messages and placed in numerical order, as survivors and family members will stand beside their given number.
In previous years, they are weighed down with something heavy, but for the past three years, they have been weighed down with food. Of the 5,000 bags, 500 will be donated to Ronald McDonald House and the remaining 4,500 will be donated to Letterkenny Food Bank.
“It’s a nice little addition to the ceremony as there is an added benefit to the candle bags, they will help a lot of people,” Robert said.
Also central to the ceremony is the Survivors Choir, with a brand new song being performed for the first time on Saturday. The choir will be led by Donal Kavanagh, Highland Radio broadcaster and cancer survivor, with Moya Brennan and family providing the music.
The Luminaria Ceremony of Light will take place on Saturday 3rd of June 10.30pm.
Relay for Life will start at 5pm on Saturday and the team looks forward to welcoming survivors and caregivers over the weekend, so please consider registering, and don’t forget to let them know if you need t-shirts; purple for survivors, yellow for caregivers.
