Town Common Lights To Turn Purple (Again)

WILMINGTON, MA — For the second consecutive year, the lights on the Wilmington Town Common will turn purple this May in recognition of Relay For Life Awareness Month as part of the American Cancer Society’s “Paint The Town Purple” campaign.

At Monday’s Selectmen Meeting, the board unanimously approved the request of Relay For Life Community manager Julie Rauseo to illuminate the Common purple from May 1-31.

Purple is the color that represents all cancer survivors and is the color of “Relay For Life.” May is also Skin Cancer Awareness Month.  With skin cancer being the most preventable cancer, Relay for Life hopes having the lights purple will serve as a reminder for people to protect themselves from the sun.

The town is reusing the purple filters from last May.

The 2016 Wilmington Relay For Life is scheduled for June 17-18 at Wilmington High School.

Relay For Life is a non-competitive, community event where teams and individuals camp out at a school, park, or fairground and take turns walking or running around a track or path. Each team has at least one participant on the track at all times and participates in fundraising that supports the American Cancer Society’s mission to save lives and finish the fight against cancer. Four million people participated in more than 6,000 events worldwide in 2015. Last year, over 230 people participated in the Relay For Life of Wilmington, with an additional 100 people visiting the event, and raised $75,227.

“The Relay For Life movement unites communities across the globe to celebrate people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and take action to finish the fight once and for all,” said Rauseo. “This is our community’s opportunity to fight back against cancer. We are excited to return to Wilmington High School this year.”

Visit http://www.relayforlife.org/WilmingtonMA to learn more about the program. Contact Julie Rauseo at 781-314-2668 or Julie.Rauseo@cancer.org with any questions.

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