Randy Garrison

Hartselle Enquirer

If you see purple adorning doors and poles downtown, along with folks you run into wearing purple this week, they are not in mourning for Prince nor are they reliving “Purple Rain.” The folks are reminding everyone this is the week for Relay for Life. You are invited to hand purple bows and ribbons on your home or business to raise awareness of the upcoming special event.

The event, which culminates the American Cancer Society’s fundraiser and awareness campaign, will take place Fri., May 20, at J.P. Cain Stadium. The event will begin at 6 p.m. and end around midnight. There will be food, games, fellowship, honoring those who are fighting a battle with cancer as well as those who defeated the disease, and remembering those who were cured of cancer on the other side of eternity.

Relay is an organized event with teams of people walking around a track or field.

The event includes a survivor’s walk, with those who have survived cancer taking the first lap, a victory walk around the field celebrating winning their battle with cancer. Other participants cheer on the survivors as they take the victory walk. Caregivers are also honored during the event.

To honor and remember those who have lost the battle to cancer, a luminary ceremony takes place after dark. The light ceremony also honors those who are still fighting cancer.

This is a very emotional event for all involved, remembering those who have passed, praying for and honoring those who are still fighting the disease and celebrating with those who have defeated cancer. The community is invited to come out and share in the event and also to help raise funds for cancer research.

Leading up to the event, groups formed teams. The teams competed in several areas, but the most important is fundraising. During the event, teams usually set up tents at the stadium and continue hosting events and selling food or other items to raise even more funds for cancer research.

The annual survivors dinner was held on Mon., May 16, at Hartselle First United Methodist Church at 6 p.m. This event is held to honor and celebrate those who have survived cancer.

For more information about Relay, visit the Relay for Life Hartselle Facebook page.

All are invited to come out and enjoy the event, and help raise funds for cancer research, so that one day cancer can be defeated permanently. In the event of inclement weather, the event will be held at the John Sparkman Civic Center on Nanceford Road.