Julia Kim
Staff Writer

Video by Caitlin Monse

Last year, hundreds of illuminated bags lined the Relay for Life course, providing light as the sun set. These bags, bearing the names of individuals who have or are fighting against cancer, play a significant role during the night of the event as the community comes together to remember.

Luminaria bags are present at all Relay for Life events in celebrating cancer survivors, remembering those who have battled cancer and honoring those who have gone.

“They are used to line the track on Relay night and hold candles,” CHS Relay for Life Club President junior Weston Sandfort said. “These luminarias honor people who have fought cancer (living and dead) by having a lighting ceremony and having them burn all night, representing the ongoing struggle that cancer brings day to day.”

A variety of organizations and people take part in preparing the bags which will hold a name in time for the event. The CHS Relay for Life Club is just one of many participating in the making of these bags, and through the club, National Art Honor Society (NAHS) is also drawing on the bags.

“We are selling the luminaria bags that we decorated, but it’s more like a donation because the buyers won’t be able to keep the bags,” NAHS President Yeelim Park said. “However, if they wish to see what they have bought, they can come to the event and check out the pretty luminaria bags.”

The club has been preparing the bags for several weeks.

“During the Health Expo, we had an entire table of art students making custom bags that will be used later,” Sandfort said. “Some are very artistic, while some are just plain text.”

The bags will then be sold during the week of Feb. 14 for $10 each, and all proceeds will go to the American Cancer Society and serve to help in the continuing fight against cancer. The club is selling the bags at school in order to get the students involved.

“The Luminaria bags are and will be displayed in the hallways for a week to bring awareness to the school,” CHS Relay for Life Club Sponsor and art teacher Elsa Reynolds said “It is really important to get this population involved and good to donate to a cause that affects nearly everyone. You may not know anyone [who has been diagnosed with cancer] yet, but it may happen in the future.”

This year marks the first with a club for the event at the high school which is running under Sandfort.

“I feel proud that I can do something to help people, and I think events like this can really bring together people in the community to do something amazing,” Sandfort said.

Coppell’s Relay for Life will be held at Wagon Wheel Park on April 30 and like previous years, will continue until the morning of May 1.

In less than 80 days, these bags will be at lit during the Luminaria Ceremony which happens just before the event. In less than 80 days, the community of Coppell will come together in remembrance.