Communities come together for grand Relay For Life in Roselle

Do you want to get involved in the mission of the American Cancer Society? Join the Relay For Life of Northwest DuPage and Northwest Cook Counties, be a part of an organization of survivors, patients, advocates, volunteers, caregivers and researchers doing everything within their power to save lives.

After a two-year break from having the Relay, now in 2022, the communities of Bartlett, Bloomingdale, Carol Stream, Elk Grove Village, Glendale Heights, Hanover Park, Hoffman Estates, Itasca, Medinah, Roselle, Schaumburg, and Streamwood are joining together to create one grand Relay For Life event Friday, June 10.

The American Cancer Society invites all community members to join the annual Relay For Life. All are welcome to participate — men, women, families, clubs, friends, neighbors and co-workers. Join for an evening of inspirational speakers, entertainment, music, games, food and fun. Walk around the track and hang out with a great community of people, all while making a difference in the fight against cancer. You can sign up as an individual, start a team with a few friends, or join an existing team.

Registration is open now; for information and to sign up, go to www.RelayForLife.org/NWdupageIL.

Relay For Life is a tribute to those who have been lost to cancer, a celebration of those who have survived cancer, and a hope for those facing cancer, that one day, through fundraising efforts, cancer will be eliminated.

A special invitation to cancer survivors and their caregivers

Cancer Survivors are honored at Relay For Life. Anyone who has ever been diagnosed with cancer is invited to sign up as a survivor. There is a special recognition as survivors and their caregivers walk the first lap around the track at the opening ceremony with the crowd cheering them on.

The American Cancer Society honors their strength and courage with every step they take. It doesn't matter if you were diagnosed 10 days ago or 10 years ago, you can walk while everybody gathers to cheer you on.

Each survivor and one caregiver is invited to dinner in the Survivor Tent, provided by local restaurants. New this year, reserve your ticket for dinner and a Survivor T-shirt, register online at www.RelayForLife.org/NWdupageIL. You will receive an email with a link to order your survivor T-shirt, shipped directly to you.

Luminarias

Make a donation or buy a luminaria at the Relay website. For each $10 donation, you can dedicate a luminaria to a loved one lost, someone currently battling cancer, or anyone who has overcome cancer. Tell your friends that you are raising money for the American Cancer Society and offer to have a luminaria for their loved ones. The luminarias are paper lantern bags, decorated with names and messages, in memory of, to honor, or to support every life touched by cancer.

The luminarias are placed around the track and are lit at 9 p.m., for the beautiful Luminaria Ceremony. The lights go off and a bagpiper leads participants around the track as the names are announced. When the sun goes down, hope shines the brightest.

For any loved ones being honored that were/are first responders or members of the military, an American flag will be placed next to their luminaria. Let organizers know in the message section when you purchase online.

At Relay For Life, no donation is too small, each and every dollar counts. Your donations help fund groundbreaking cancer research to find answers and better treatments, patient care services and support like free rides to chemo, lodging near hospitals, information, guidance to patients and families, education and early detection programs, advocacy and the 24/7 helpline, (800) 227-2345.

The Relay For Life of Northwest DuPage and Northwest Cook Counties will take place on Friday, June 10, at Lake Park High School, East Campus, 600 S. Medinah Road, Roselle. The opening ceremony begins at 6 p.m.; with the closing ceremony at midnight. For information and registration, visit www.RelayForLife.org/NWdupageIL.

For information and help for cancer patients, call the American Cancer Society at (800) 227-2345 or see the website www.cancer.org.