The light that represents healing.

The light that represents honor.

The light that represents hope.  

The Relay For Life committee will be selling luminarias to be used during Relay For Life on April 28 from 6 p.m. to midnight at the football stadium.

The purpose of buying a luminaria is to celebrate those who have battled cancer, remember the ones who lost their lives, and, according to the American Cancer Society, “fight back against a disease that has taken too much.”

Senior Tommy Rousey is on the committee and has a connection to this fundraiser. Before going into kindergarten, his dad was diagnosed with kidney cancer.

“I was pretty young at the time,” Rousey said. “I had to go stay at a friend’s house for some time, so that was disorientating. My mom was at the hospital, and I was at a friend’s house and didn’t really know what was happening at the time.”

Rousey’s father was clear of cancer after battling for six months. To Rousey, luminarias symbolize people’s experience of their fight against cancer.

“Not to diss the students of Lovejoy, but they haven’t been focusing on the fundraising for Relay For Life,” Rousey said. “I think it’s important [to buy luminarias] because they show the significance of someone who has cancer or to honor their fight.”

Luminarias will be sold during lunches in the commons, and students can also go online to the event website and donate to a participant, team, or the event using a credit card. Luminarias will be available for purchase the night of the event, as well.

The luminarias will be decorated with names and messages to whom it’s honoring. They are $10 each, and the profits will help fund the American Cancer Society’s mission.