x
Breaking News
More () »

Relay for Life Day declared in Athens and Limestone County

Volunteers will place luminary bags on the Courthouse steps with names to honor those who have or have had cancer, and they will live stream the ceremony.

ATHENS, Ala. — Despite COVID-19 restrictions on gatherings, teams that make up Relay for Life of Limestone County are working to honor and remember those impacted by cancer.

The countywide Relay for Life event was supposed to be held Friday, May 8, with all the teams setting up tent sites, celebrating the campaign year and walking laps in memory or honor of someone with cancer.

Cherry Hammonds, senior community development manager for the American Cancer Society in Huntsville, suggested that instead of the large event, volunteers could conduct a luminary ceremony and share it via social media live streams. 

On Friday night, a handful of volunteers will place luminaries with names of those who have or are fighting cancer on the Limestone County Courthouse steps. In case of rain, the volunteers will place the luminaries on the steps inside the Courthouse. Volunteers will use glow sticks for the luminaries, not candles.

In addition, the outside Courthouse lights will be purple in honor of Relay for Life. The ceremony will begin at 8 p.m.

On Thursday, Athens Mayor Ronnie Marks and Limestone County Commission Chairman Collin Daly met with Hammonds and signed a proclamation declaring Friday, May 8, 2020, as Relay for Life Day in Athens. 

RELATED: Honoring nurses during National Nurses Week, May 6-12

RELATED: FDA approves coronavirus vaccine candidate to begin phase 2 trial

RELATED: Banksy donates painting honoring health care workers to UK hospital

RELATED: 33 million applied for US unemployment aid since coronavirus hit

RELATED: 2020 graduates share their senior experience during the pandemic

IN OTHER NEWS:

Before You Leave, Check This Out