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By Elisabeth Altamirano-Smith | Community Columnist

The Relay for Life (West End Baptist Team) will host the 11th annual Luminaria Service Sunday on Feb. 25 at 6 p.m. at West End Baptist Church (2005 2nd Ave N, Clanton).  The event is free and open to the public, and will center on celebrating survivors, fighting with those fighting and remembering those with cancer.

Luminarias will be available for purchase at the service for $2 or 3 for $5. The luminaria service will be the only luminaria event for Chilton County this year. All proceeds go to the American Cancer Society, Relay for Life and Gold Together for Childhood Cancer.

“This is a county-wide event to celebrate, fight and remember those with cancer,” said Sunny Mays, West End Relay organizer. “There is so much cancer in Chilton County, and this event is important because what you say and share from your own experience can help someone.”

The event itinerary will include Hannah Adams as a guest speaker. Adams serves as Miss Mobile Bay and is a childhood cancer survivor. Hannah survived Stage 3 Neuroblastoma and had a softball size cancerous tumor that developed on her left kidney. The service will also include a time of worship, as well as honoring and remembering those with cancer during the lighting service.

County churches that would like to sell luminarias for their own Relay for Life team fundraiser may get the luminaria bags from Sunny Mays, and then bring them to the luminaria event on Feb. 25.  Anyone interested in volunteering or being part of the Relay for Life Chilton County Committee should contact Sunny Mays at 205-296-2945.

Additionally, the annual Relay for Life Survivor Breakfast will be May 4 at The Y. Survivors and one caregiver may register (reserving their seat) for the breakfast by visiting www.RelayForLife.org/chiltonal, or by calling 800-227-2345.