An annual celebration of those winning their fight against cancer is set for May 4.

Invitations went out this week to area cancer survivors and their supporters for the Survivors Luncheon, slated for 11:30 a.m. next Friday at the Family Life Center of First Baptist Church in Greenville.

Priester's Pecans of Fort Deposit will return as the event sponsor, said Luncheon Chair Vivian Killingsworth.

&#8220We are looking forward to a wonderful event. Priester's will provide us with another delicious meal and vocalist Harlon Burton is returning this year to entertain our guests,” Killingsworth said.

Door prizes donated by local businesses and individuals will also be given out to the cancer survivors.

Anyone who didn't receive a letter and is a current cancer patient or survivor is encouraged to contact Vivian Killingsworth at 382-2483 ASAP.

&#8220We'd also like to ask those who received invitations to please RSVP to me so we can prepare for the proper number of people,” Killingsworth said.

&#8220This is a chance to pamper and uplift survivors, and as a breast cancer survivor, I know how important that is.”

The Survivors Luncheon is held each year one week prior to Relay For Life, Butler County's signature fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. For more information, contact RFL Chair Joan Reynolds at 303-9999.

‘Torch of Hope' new

addition to Relay

There is a new twist to the Luminaria Ceremony this year at the Butler County

Relay For Life.

While the traditional sand bag luminarias that line the track will still be available for a minimum donation of $5, another option is now in place.

For those who want to donate a larger amount and give special recognition to their loved ones fighting cancer, Torches of Hope will be available for a donation of $100 or more, said Luminaria Chair Ethelyn Watson.

&#8220These torches has been very successful at other Relays, such as Conecuh County's. It's a new idea we are trying out here in Butler County,” Watson said.

The bamboo torches will be trimmed in ribbon and adorned with special metal plates with both the honorees' names and donors' names on them.

They will be lit during the Luminaria Ceremony, &#8220and we would like to have that donor or their representative actually light their torch that night,” Watson said.

Following the event, the torch plates will be available to the donors as a memento of the occasion.

&#8220We think this is an extra-special way to honor or remember a loved one who has battled cancer,” Watson said.

Checks for $100 (per torch) should be made to the American Cancer Society and sent to: American Cancer Society, Attention – Ethelyn Watson, 398 Sirmon Rd., Greenville, AL 36037.

Forms must be received by Thursday, May 3.

For more information on the torches or luminarias, contact Watson at 334-382-2517.

The 2007 Relay For Life is slated to kick off at 6 p.m. Friday, May 11 at the YMCA football field.

The event is sponsored by Wal-Mart; International Paper is the Luminaria Sponsor.