SYCAMORE – Relay For Life of DeKalb County will hold its first Luminaria Vigil at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 13 at the DeKalb County Courthouse in Sycamore. The vigil is being held during the holiday season to commemorate and remember those who are battling cancer and those who have lost their fight. The luminaria bags will also be used during the Relay For Life of DeKalb County event in June.

Luminaria are bags that are purchased for $10 and lit during the ceremony. This moving ceremony is a way to remember loved ones who have lost their fight to cancer over the years. This ceremony will be different from the ceremony held during Relay For Life. Luminaria sales will be from 6 to 6:30 pm and the ceremony will begin shortly after. Carolers will perform and refreshments will be provided.

More than 27 years ago, Dr. Gordon Klatt showed his support in the fight against cancer by doing a 24 hour “relay” in Tacoma, Wash. He raised more than $25,000 and donated it to cancer research. Since then, the Relay for Life has become a global movement, raising money for the American Cancer Society to put toward cancer research, patient services in hospitals, clinics and cancer centers, support programs like Road to Recovery, which provides transportation for patients who need rides to treatments, and Look Good ... Feel Better, which teaches beauty techniques to female cancer patients, and initiatives to engage youth in healthy lifestyles.