On September 20, 2006 10,000 American Cancer Society volunteers and supporters will gather on the National Mall in front of the United States Capitol for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network’s historic Celebration on the Hill.

4,000 Celebration Ambassadors will represent every state and every congressional district in the country; 5,000 American Cancer Society Wall of Hope banners will represent every Relay For Life event in the nation; and the 3 million signatures on those banners will represent every American ever touched by cancer.

The American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life Wall of Hope will be the largest temporary monument ever constructed in our nation’s capital. Remembering those lost to cancer, those still fighting and those who have survived the battle, the monument will speak most loudly to our hope that a cure is close at hand.

While survivors and volunteers gather in Washington D.C., hundreds of thousands more, inspired by the effort, will participate and celebrate at home making Celebration on the Hill a truly national event and a historic marker in our nation’s war on cancer.

If you’re among the 3 million Americans who signed a Wall of Hope banner you’re already a part of Celebration on the Hill. But if you want to do more and speak to our nation’s leaders about the importance of winning the war on cancer, there are other ways that can help you and your community Celebrate at home. Be sure to invite others in your community to join you!

Light a Candle for Hope. When the Celebration on the Hill Ceremony of Hope, a traditional Relay For Life luminaria ceremony, kicks off in DC (7:30 Eastern Time on September 20, 2006), light a candle of your own and take a few minutes to quietly reflect and remember those in your life and your community who have been touched by cancer or are still fighting.

Celebration Luminaria. Thousands of Luminaria will line the US Capitol reflecting pool, lighting the sky of the nation’s in a moving tribute to those who have battled cancer, and in memory of those we have lost. A Luminaria dedicated in memory or honor of someone’s cancer battle tells them and those close to them that there is hope. Luminaria can be purchased by clicking the link on the Celebration on the Hill homepage. You can send an ecard through the website to let the person or family you are honoring know they’re a part of Celebration on the Hill.

Celebrate in Your Community. Families, neighborhoods, faith and community groups, and Relay For Life teams and committees can come together to host their own Celebration at Home observances. Use any household candles along with the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Action Network drip catchers available for download at www.celebrationonthehill.org (drip catchers will fit ½ or ¾ inch diameter candles).

Celebrate on the Web. Celebration on the Hill will be nationally Webcast from the 10:00 am opening ceremonies and Survivor Lap to the 7:30 pm Luminaria and closing ceremonies. Check in on events throughout the day or organize a group to gather around and be part of Celebration on the Web. Download suggestions that can help you plan your “watch party.” Use the .jpg image to create flyers to invite others to your Celebration on the Homefront event.

Cancer is a disease that touches each and every American. By remembering, honoring, supporting and celebrating our friends and family who have, are or will fight the disease, Celebration on the Hill will touch each and every American as well.

Downloadable Assets for Celebration on the Homefront:

• Celebration on the Homefront watch party instructions.doc
• COH CAN Drip Holder #140705.pdf
• COH CAN Drip MH.jpg