New type of luminaria bag offered at Relay

The baton is passed on, from hand to hand,
As the race for the cure continues on,
And when the foe has been disarmed,
The survivors will have won.

For the dreaded disease is losing,
And the battle must continue on,
‘Till the words “cancer-free” ring around the world,
And that will be the survivors’ “Victory Song.”
 

Grace Lambert, a registered nurse who works at the Fayette County Health Department and is very involved in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, which is in its 17th year in Fayette County.
Lambert has been with the program since it began, and is enthused about the participation by county residents, whether they be survivors of cancer, friends and/or families of survivors, those who have lost loved ones or just those who care about and support the race for the cure.
One beautiful and touching way to support the cause, while also remembering a departed loved one or honoring someone special, is through the illuminated bags called luminaria.
As dusk sets in, the darkness of night is beautifully lighted with the soft glow of the bags, each bearing the name of a special person who has battled or been affected by cancer in some way. Grace Lambert shared that special, touching, part of the evening, the Luminaria Ceremony.
This year’s Relay for Life is again at Rogier Park in Vandalia, starting at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 3, and running until 5 a.m. on Sunday, June 3.
Lambert, who is in charge of the luminaria sales and the luminaria ceremony, explained that part of the Relay for Life.
“Luminarias are bags that are purchased by individuals who want to remember and honor someone who either is a survivor of cancer or who has passed away from cancer,” she said.
“We put the names of the individuals on the bag, and also who they are remembered by, and later in the evening, we put candles in the bags and light those candles.
“When it is dark outside, all of the bags are illuminated, and it is quite a moving and impressive sight.”
The luminaria ceremony is set for 9 p.m. on June 2.
“We will have a few prayers, an inspirational-type reading and a few songs, and then we will conclude with a PowerPoint presentation with all of the names of the people who have been remembered through the purchase of a luminaria bag,” she said.
“We then conclude that ceremony with a silent lap.”
Luminaria Bags Offered for Caregivers
“Caregiver” bags are also being offered,” Lambert said.
“They are purple instead of white. If you are a cancer survivor, you can purchase one in honor of your caregiver.
“For instance, it can be for someone who has taken you for your treatments, a spouse who has been supportive, a friend who has just always been there for you, etc.  There is a little  Caregiver Corner in a flowered area of the track,” Lambert said.
The cost of all of the bags is $10.
“Also, if someone would like to personalize their bag, they may take the bag with them if they purchase it in advance, decorate it and bring back to me. Or, they may bring it to the event, and they could actually place it on the track themselves, if they would like to,” Lambert said.
Grace Lambert, in Person
Grace, the wife of Dr. Larry Lambert, and has worked for the Fayette County Health Department for about 19 years.
She likes having the Relay for Life in the park, but also appreciated the original site, the high school football field.
“I wouldn’t mind trying out the new track,” she said. “On the football field and track, you could see more of the luminaria in the circle,” whereas in the park, the trees and track are partially obscured.
Those interested in purchasing a luminaria bag may contact Lambert at 283-4341 or stop by the health department to pick up a form to fill out and return later.
The bags may also be purchased at the survivors dinner, which will be held at 6 p.m. next Thursday at the Moose Lodge in Vandalia.
The bags will also be on sale the day of the Relay, from approximately 5-8:30  p.m.

Grace Lambert, a local nurse who has been involved in the Fayette County Relay for Life since its inception 17 years ago, displays the two types of luminaria bags available for this year’s Relay. New this year are the purple bags that may be purchased to honor caregivers.