The Relay For Life of Central Ellis County will be held on May 20 & 21, 2011 at the Waxahachie Sports Complex. The local team from Central Baptist Church is trying to raise money to support the American Cancer Society’s fight to find a cure for cancer. They need your help this year.

“We are having a garage sale at the Cornerstone on Main Street here in Italy on Saturday, April 16th from 7:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.,” said team captain, Karen Mathiowetz. “We are hoping the Italy community will support our efforts this year.”

Mathiowetz knows first hand how important finding a cure for cancer can be. She was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2006.

The team needs donations for the sale. Donations may be dropped off at the Cornerstone on Friday, April 15th or arrangements can be made for pick up. They are also encouraging everyone to come out on the 16th and shop – spend until it hurts!

They are also taking donations for luminarias this year for $10 each. Anyone can purchase a luminaria in honor of a cancer survivor or in memory of anyone that has passed away that had cancer. The team will decorate each one that is purchased.

The luminarias are placed on the track the night of Relay. At 10:00 p.m. the candles in each bag are lit and all the lights at the complex are turned off.

“The Luminaria Ceremony is very emotional for me,” said Mathiowetz. “It is encouraging to see how many people that have been diagnosed with cancer are still alive. It is a staggering and sad realization of how many people have lost their fight with the disease. I love to walk around the track and look at all the luminarias that people have done for me.”

For more information on purchasing a luminary or to donate items for the sale, contact Karen Mathiowetz at 972-483-7434. With the community’s help, this could be the year a cure for cancer is found.