Cancer is a potent agent that weakens the body and challenges the human spirit. No matter the ethnicity, gender or religious beliefs, everyone has been touched directly or indirectly by the disease that has no borders.

The Dallas County Relay for Life wants you to remember those who have suffered from or honor those who have overcome the debilitating disease, by purchasing a Luminaria form. For as little as $5, your contribution can help keep a cancer survivor’s memory alive and help find a cure.

Bridget Mills, American Cancer Society Community Representative for Dallas County, said the Luminaria and ceremony is the staple of what the organization is all about.

“Individuals can purchase as many as they would like with all proceeds to help fund education and research for cancer,” Mills said. “We encourage the community to purchase the luminarias as a special memory to a loved one or family member and people can make the luminarias personal with pictures, etc.”

Interested persons can purchase a Luminaria form and fill out the name of a person being honored, check “in memory” or “in honor” of and mail the form with a check made payable to the American Cancer Society to Katie Friene, 1 King St., Selma.

If you cannot mail the form in, participants can bring the form to the Relay for Life run scheduled for April 29 before 8 p.m.

The Luminaria Ceremony will be held April 29 at 9 p.m. inside Memorial Stadium. Survivors, family and friends will light candles in honor of or in memory of those touched by cancer.

“The ceremony is very important,” Mills said. “It’s a very solemn time and a celebratory time for survivors and caregivers. It’s a reflection of a light that still shines for many; it’s special.”

For information on how to purchase a luminaria call 872-9385.