By KALEY LYON

klyon@dailynews.net

A long list of names was read, as luminaries were lit in honor of cancer victims and survivors.

About a month before the Ellis County Relay for Life officially kicks off, residents of Cedar View Assisted Living, 2929 Sternberg Drive, celebrated with a mini relay of their own.

"To me, this is really neat because we're reaching a whole new group of people that otherwise would be left out," said Kim Peach, community manager of income development for the American Cancer Society.

More than $700 was raised at Friday evening's event, which was the first Mini Relay for Life in the state. More than 60 luminaries were purchased for the occasion, and they also will be lit at the main event on June 5 and 6.

In addition to the luminaries, several residents who have battled cancer were recognized.

One such resident is Darlene Herrick, a Damar native and 17-year survivor who was diagnosed with breast cancer in the early 1990s.

Herrick, sporting a purple survivor T-shirt, said she had never attended a Relay for Life event, but was impressed with the efforts.

"I think it's a marvelous cause and everybody's very generous and very accommodating, supportive," Herrick said.

In keeping with the incoming summer season, the evening was set to a Hawaiian luau theme and followed by an outdoor barbecue. Entertainment was provided by Joe Dolezal.

While the Hays event was the first in the state, it is not going to be the only one. The idea has proven popular, with other mini relays scheduled at Hays' Sterling House and in La Crosse.

Those involved are hoping the event will start a new trend, giving more survivors the opportunity to participate.

"Hopefully, it will start a real neat thing and be good for everybody," said Treva Benoit, director of Cedar View Assisted Living.

Benoit said the event exceeded her expectations, with more than 100 residents and family members present.

The beach-party decorations were hung Monday, which helped pique the residents' excitement, Benoit said, noting some family members traveled a considerable distance to attend.

"The survivors, they just thought it was an incredible honor for us to do that for them," Benoit said. "I think that was the big thing."