ALPENA — The American Cancer Society’s local traditional Relay For Life of NEMI, originally scheduled in August, was not held due to the restrictions of COVID-19.

The health and safety of the American Cancer Society volunteers, survivors and the general public is the number one concern. However, cancer research funding is in jeopardy, so fundraising is continuing, just in different formats.

According to Relay Event Lead Andrea Hepburn, “Cancer hasn’t stopped, so neither have we. Our planning committee has had to be creative this year to still raise much-needed dollars for research and programs, while keeping everyone’s safety at the forefront. While we hoped we could postpone the event, we have had to cancel the traditional walk and have come up with several safe, socially distanced alternatives.”

A Luminaria and Survivor Recognition event will be held from 7:30 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 3, at the Alpena Mall parking lot. This event will feature a drive-by luminaria display, survivor recognition on a big screen, survivor speaker Diane Safford, and distribution of survivor goodie bags (all done in a socially distant, safe method.) Sponsor recognition signs will also be displayed, as most regular sponsors have donated to the cause. The event will be featured on Facebook Live with donations accepted through that event.

“No one should leave their car for any reason,” Hepburn said.

Anyone wishing to buy luminaria bags for display may do so on the event website relayforlife.org/nemi. Bags may also be picked up at the Alpena Senior Center or Connie’s Cafe in Ossineke during regular business hours, or from Relay For Life committee members or team captains. Cost per bag is $10. Pick up the bags, then decorate and return them to the senior center by Wednesday with payment of $10 per bag (checks payable to the American Cancer Society.) Team captains are asked to please submit their lists of luminaria bags in memory of or in honor of by Wednesday to kristinberles@gmail.com for use in the luminaria ceremony on Oct. 3.

Also, Sunday is the last day of an online auction. Donated items are available for bidding on an online auction platform at this link: https://www.biddingowl.com/AmericanCancerSociety2312. Several Relay For Life teams have contributed items. Anyone with questions about the auction is asked to contact Hepburn at 989-884-4389.

Also ongoing is a raffle of a deer blind benefitting the local Relay. Raffle lead Bonnie McEachern has tickets if anyone would like a supply to sell at their place of business or to family and friends. Tickets are $10 each, raffle license number is R56408. Call McEachern at 989-590-3843 for ticket information. The raffle drawing is Oct. 3 on Facebook Live as part of the luminaria drive-through event.

For more information about sponsorship levels, contact Sponsorship Lead Lisa West at 989-590-3397.

“We hope for great participation in our Relay Survivor and Luminaria Event October 3, and also for support of our cause through luminaria purchases, raffle tickets, online auction bidding, and sponsorship,” Hepburn said. “Our community is always so generous, and we appreciate every much-needed dollar donated,” she added. “I am proud of the way our community rallies in the fight against cancer, and hopefully next year our traditional Relay will be back!”