Some of the Luminarias at the 2018 Relay for Life in Norwich. Luminarias are used as a way to honor and remember loved ones lost to cancer, and those still fighting the disease. (Sun Archive Photo)

NORWICH — July 17 marks the last Norwich Relay for Life event. For their final year, committee members are planning to hold the sentimental Luminaria ceremony that has always been a part of Relay.

"At every event you can purchase these little bags, and they have candles in them, and you can decorate them however you want," said committee member Marie Loughren.

The Luminaria bags and ceremony have been a staple of Relay for Life since the very beginning, according to Loughren.

“There was always the opening ceremony, a Luminaria ceremony, and a closing ceremony. That was something Relay for Life nationwide kind of always did,” she said. “The Luminaria ceremony was something that was part of the event from the very beginning.”

The bags are meant as a way to honor those who have passed away from cancer, or to support those still battling the disease. Participants are welcome to decorate them however they wish, and they are often adorned with the names of loved ones who have battled, or are still battling, cancer.

"You can do them in honor of a survivor who's obviously still living, or in memory of someone who has passed. We do a ceremony. We personally read the names of all the people that we've lost," said Loughren. "I think that little ceremony is special to people."

During the Relay for Life event, after the sun goes down, the candles inside the bags will be lit.