As the holiday season approaches, an annual tradition blends holiday cheer with a powerful mission: the Relay for Life Montgomery County Tree Lighting Ceremony.
The festive gathering will be held today, Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025 in the main lobby of LewisGale Hospital Montgomery at 6:30 p.m..The event serves as both a celebration and a reminder of the ongoing battle against cancer, uniting survivors, caregivers, and supporters in a shared purpose.
The Relay For Life tree lighting is more than just the illumination of a Christmas tree, it represents hope for those affected by cancer. Among the cherished highlights of the event are the heart ornaments, decorated by volunteers who pour love, dedication and hope into each ornament. These ornaments are more than decorations; they honor loved ones affected by cancer each year and express the enduring power of love that cancer cannot destroy. One volunteer stated, “It is my pleasure to be able to place an ornament displaying my mom’s name on The Relay For Life Tree of Hope each year. It is my way of saying I miss you and it gives me an opportunity to keep her memory alive and somehow, it brings me closer to her if only for a moment”.
Participants have an opportunity to purchase and dedicate ornaments “In Honor” or “In Memory” of someone special, creating a personal connection to the event. Personalized ornaments can be purchased prior to or on the night of the event. Each ornament represents a story, a survivor’s victory, a caregiver dedication or the memory of a loved one who left this world way too soon. Each name displayed on the ornament will also appear on the video screen during the event, creating a tribute to those honored or remembered. By purchasing one of these ornaments, not only do you take home a keepsake, but you also contribute to the fight against cancer. Proceeds directly support Relay for Life’s mission: funding cancer research, patient support programs, awareness, and advocacy efforts.
Everyone is welcome to join this meaningful community event. Come see what Relay for Life is all about, connect with others, and help light the way toward a future without cancer. We can’t wait to welcome you!
For more information and to make our mission your mission please visit: www.relayforlife.org/montgomeryva or visit our Facebook page at Relay for life of Montgomery County VA.
Linda Howell
