The Vernon County Relay For Life Committee announces the 2008 Survivor dinner will be held May 19, at the Nevada Eagles lodge for cancer survivors and guests.

"Invitations have been sent and the RSVP's are coming in," stated Linda Chesnut, Survivor Chairperson. "This celebration is our way of paying tribute to all who have struggled with cancer by providing an evening of enjoyment just for them. A nice dinner, entertainment, and door prizes are part of the evening's agenda. More than 220 invitations have been sent, but the committee is still concerned there are other cancer survivors in Vernon County which we are unaware of," Chesnut added. "If you have had cancer and have not received an invitation, please contact me at (417) 448-1144 for information."

(Advertisement)

The Relay For Life Walk will be held this year on June 6 on the Nevada Square and courthouse lawn.

"Luminaries have also gone on sale and a special one for your pet has been added this year," Leonette Hammontree, committee chairwoman announced. A luminary is a small bag which holds a burning candle and burns throughout the night of the Walk.

The different colored bags honor a person who is surviving cancer or in memory of someone who has succumbed to cancer. Survivors can also purchase a luminary for their "caregivers" or for their special pet who helped them deal with cancer or has had cancer.

The luminary names, along with any pictures submitted, will be displayed on a large screen continually throughout the night. "The luminary ceremony is a powerful reminder of why we "Relay", Hammontree commented. "Every name has a story and from the hushed silence as the names are read, through the lighting of the candles, and then throughout the night with the Power Point program, many stories are relived and give meaning to our motto this year Remember, Celebrate, Fight Back."

Any member from a Relay For Life team can sell luminaries for $5 or 5 for $20, or call Hammontree at (417) 667-5939 for information.

Hammontree added, "Everyone needs to mark their calendars for June 6, starting at 6 p.m. and come enjoy the Relay Walk. There is free entertainment, good food, an auction of donated merchandise, and some local celebrities getting a pie in the face. It is an opportunity for everyone to help fight back."