Last year’s Southern Lights of Life had a masquerade theme and raised more than $150,000. This year’s event is set for Feb. 27 at Dover Downs Hotel and Casino and will feature gourmet stations, silent and live auctions and music by Kristen and the Noise. (Delaware State News file photo/Dave Chambers)[/caption]

DOVER –– The time of year has come for breast cancer survivors, their families and the community to partner in a celebration of life at the Lights of Life at Dover Downs.

Lights of Life (formerly known as Southern Lights of Life), benefiting the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition, is now in its 12th year and in previous years has placed a focus on Kent and Sussex counties but this year is focusing on all of Delaware.

“We decided to bring together people from across the state because we don’t just help people in our community, we help people from all over Delaware,” said Beth Krallis, communications director of the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition.

Through its year-round fundraising efforts, the DBCC serves nearly 6,000 women and men a year in Delaware.

“We are thrilled to be bringing together survivors, community members, and friends of the agency in recognition of 25 years of service in the community,” said Vicky Cooke, executive director of the Coalition.

“Over the last two and a half decades, the mortality rate of breast cancer has decreased but the incidence continues to rise. We are proud to be this state’s most trusted breast cancer resource and will continue to provide support and resources to thousands of women and men who have been affected by breast cancer in Delaware and our surrounding communities.”

Instead of the sit-down formal dinner that has been held at previous Lights of Life galas, the DBCC opted for a range of gourmet stations where attendees will be able to try many different dishes instead of one large one.

A wide variety of items will be up for raffle, silent and live auctions while guests eat and socialize. The items up for grabs range from four tickets to Kenny Chesney’s “Spread the Love Tour,” to an eight-day Viking River Cruise to a new BMW 328 donated by I.G. Burton.

If you are unable to attend but would still like to bid on silent auction items, bids can be made virtually through an app during bidding which goes from 7 to 10 p.m.

A full catalogue of auction items and information regarding how to bid remotely can be found online at dbcc.ejoinme.org/Lights.

The winner of the car will be chosen through a raffle with tickets going for $25 each or five for $100.

After the auctions and raffle wrap up, the dance floor will open to guests who will be entertained by Kristin and the Noise, returning from last year.

“Everyone really loved Kristin and the Noise last year so we knew we had to invite them back to perform this year too,” Ms. Krallis said.

Last year, Lights of Life raised more than $150,000 and with the continued support of the community the DBCC hopes to make the 2016 event the most significant to date.

“One of the best things about this fundraiser is that all the money raised stays right here in Delaware and funds our programs and initiatives that help breast cancer patients and their families right here in the community,” Ms. Krallis said.

Lights of Life is Feb. 27 at Dover Downs Hotel & Casino from 7 p.m. to midnight. Tickets are $150 each and may be purchased online at debreastcancer.org or by calling 672-6435.