By EMILY SPARACINO / Staff Writer

WILSONVILLE – Fundraising efforts in Shelby County for the 2016 Relay for Life have started, and for the Wilsonville Baptist Church Relay for Life team, the success of such efforts are personal.

WBC Relay for Life team captains Lynne and Lee Morton and Gordon and Nancy Fluker know about cancer from first-hand experience. Lynne is a colon cancer survivor, and Gordon is a colon and lung cancer survivor.

Lee and Nancy served as caregivers to their spouses during their treatment.

But the couples emphasized they merely lead their team’s fundraising efforts. The church congregation plays a large role in supporting the Relay cause.

“Really and truly, our whole church is involved,” Nancy said. “We couldn’t do it without them.”

The team is currently publicizing upcoming events aimed at raising money for the American Cancer Society, which funds cancer research, along with resources for patients and their families.

“The American Cancer Society is certainly one of the organizations in the country that does a lot of good things with the money they collect,” Gordon said. “We’re hoping to do as good as or better than last year.”

The WBC team formed about 10 years ago and is part of the Relay for Life South Shelby.

Last year, the WBC team alone raised more than $10,000 for Relay and was named the top fundraising team.

“The idea for this year is not to do more events,” Lee said. “We decided early on we were going to try to do better with our events.”

The WBC team held a Fighter and Survivor Dinner on Feb. 27 to recognize those who have or have had cancer. The event was new this year and drew about 45 people.

“It was just a good evening,” Lee said.

April will be a busy month for the team. The luminary sale will be held April 3, 10 and 17 at the church before and after the morning worship services at 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

The theme is “Light Up the Sanctuary for Lights Out on Cancer,” and the luminaries cost $5 each.

The team will hold a garage sale on April 15 at noon and all day April 16 in the church gym.

“The biggest thing we need is donations,” Gordon said.

Acceptable items for the sale include furniture; men’s, women’s and children’s clothing; house wares; electronics; books, DVDs and CDs; toys; lawn equipment and tools; fishing gear; and small appliances.

To have donations picked up, call Lee at 669-4936 or Fluker at 669-1090. The last day for pick-up is April 9.

Volunteers also are needed for the sale.

“We’re grateful for anything,” Lee said.

Items leftover from the sale will be picked up by Shelby Baptist.

During the sale, teenage volunteers will be stationed at the intersection in Wilsonville near the church to collect monetary donations from passersby.

All donations are tax-deductible.

A talent show fundraiser is set for May 15 at 5 p.m. at the church. Luminaries sold in April will be displayed in the sanctuary during the show.

Relay for Life of South Shelby 2016 will be held May 20-21 from 6 p.m. to 12 a.m. at the Columbiana Sports Complex.

For more information, visit the Relay For Life of South Shelby Facebook page.