Hundreds of people celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Relay for Life event benefiting the American Cancer Society on Saturday at the Vidinha Stadium soccer fields.
Despite a shortened format that prevented the Kapaa High School cheer squad to return following their school’s football game against visiting Farrington High School, the American Cancer Society’s Kauai Program Coordinator Kittren Cade announced that going into the walk, the coffers had shown more than $107,000 collected toward this year’s goal of $150,000.
Donations are still being accepted at the American Cancer Society’s website.
“This is the chicken-skin moment,” said Bernard Carvalho Jr., who served as the relay’s emcee for the night. Cancer survivors, who were hosted to an early afternoon meal, led the contingent of walkers around a circle of luminaria representing those who were not successful in their battle with cancer.
The cancer survivors were cheered on by hundreds of people from the different teams that offered fundraising opportunities such as snacks, games and other premiums adding to the carnival-like atmosphere — all to help with the fight against cancer.
The survivors were joined by caregivers, and finally, the teams and members of the community.
The Relay for Life is sponsored by Grove Farm, a first-year sponsor who helped with the distribution of luminaria, the Kauai Island Utility Cooperative, Poipu Bay, Koa Lani, a contractor at the Pacific Missile Range Facility that provide both ambulance and fire services among other services, Matson, Kaiser Permanente, the Hawaii Pacific Health Wilcox Health, Walmart, ‘Ohana Motors, Poipu Beach Surf School, and the Garden Isle Racing Association.
According to the ACS website, the top fundraising team is Koa Lani JV, followed by the Purple Palooza, and Grove Farm. Top individual fundraiser is Allison Toma followed by Sam Jacinto, and Karen Heresa.
The Kapaa High School JROTC Color Guard provided the opening protocol as well as leading the Survivors Lap with help from both the Kapaa and Kauai high schools’ cheer squads. Kapaa Middle School student Nezahlea Albite-Ruiz and her sister Lasaya rendered both the national and state anthems.
For information on a range of cancer-related issues — from cancer information and resources in Hawaii to cancer support programs — visit www.cancer.org/about-us/local/hawaii.html.
Source: The Garden Island
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