Next weekend, members of First Baptist Church in Troy will be clad in their purple ‘Sunday best.’

It’s part of a national movement known as Purple Sunday where churches recognize cancer survivors, volunteers, caregivers and those who have lost the battle with disease by wearing purple and talking about programs such as Relay for Life.

“The church choir will wear purple stoles with their robes,” explained Dr. James Kimbrough, Relay for Life board member and a member of the FBC Relay team.

Kimbrough said, at First Baptist, each church member and guest will be given a purple lapel ribbon and the church will accept donations.

“The money is so wisely used for the American Cancer Society’s important research,” Kimbrough said. “We are so happy to help.”

Kimbrough said church members are excited about participating in Relay for Life as a team this year because so many members and friends have been touched by cancer.

“We’re asking that all the churches who want to participate let a church member who is a survivor or caregiver speak about how cancer has affected them,” said Jessamyn Boyd, community representative for the American Cancer Society. “Members can wear purple ties, purple handkerchiefs and churches can be decorated with purple ribbons to mark Purple Sunday.”

This year, Purple Sunday at FBC is set for April 28. For more information about how a church can participate in Relay for Life, or make a contribution to the American Cancer Society, email jessamyn.boyd@cancer.org.