LIHU‘E — Kaua‘i Medical Center Pediatrics Department hosted a family day, Sunday at the Lihu‘e Neighborhood Center. Built around a chili lunch, there was something for everyone at the unique event raising funds to benefit the American Cancer Society. “The
LIHU‘E — Kaua‘i Medical Center Pediatrics Department hosted a family day, Sunday at the Lihu‘e Neighborhood Center.
Built around a chili lunch, there was something for everyone at the unique event raising funds to benefit the American Cancer Society.
“The KMC Pediatrics Department will have a team at the ACS Relay for Life, April 24 at the Hanapepe soccer fields and this event is to help raise funds for that event,” said Kat Agena, a PedsACure walker. “What we have here today is a bunch of local vendors offering items for sale, a chili bowl, ice cream, hot dogs, assorted candies and sweets as well as an assortment of baked goods. There’s something for everyone because we have at least nine keiki activity stations including a Lego Land for keiki and a Dunk A Doc booth.”
Nalu Batoon, the team captain, said there are more than 30 teams scheduled to participate in this year’s ACS Relay for Life starting at 6 p.m. April 24 and running until the morning of April 25.
Among the guests, Sunday, Mel Rapozo said there’s only a few days remaining before the Relay.
“We formed a team for my mom,” Rapozo said. “And last year, we used the Web site and an e-mail blast to help raise funds. It’s really good the American Cancer Society has a Web site to help people.”
According to the ACS Relay for Life Web site, there are three ways people can help — start a team, join a team, or participate as a Survivor.
The Survivors are the reason for the Relay for Life, making up a group of almost 11 million people in the nation who are finding their way through the cancer experience and fighting back against the disease, states the Web site.
“If you had this disease, you would know the feeling,” said the PedsACure hostess while conducting one of several children activities, the message intended for the parents of the participating keiki.
In addition to the team experience and helping team members, people can help through the Luminaria Ceremony which offers an opportunity for people to come together to remember loved ones lost to cancer and honor those who have won their battle.
April 6 is a date for teams to note on their calendar when the American Cancer Society hosts its “Bank Night” from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Lihu‘e Neighborhood Center.
Team captains can bring in their team donations, pick up materials and get updated information on the upcoming Relay in Hanapepe.
The ACS Relay for Life started in 1985 when Dr. Gordy Klatt, a colorectal surgeon in Tacoma,Wash., ran and walked around a track for 24 hours to raise money for the ACS.
Since then, the Relay has grown from a single man’s passion to fight cancer to become the world’s largest movement to end the disease, states the Relay Web site.
Each year, more than 3.5 million people in 5,000 communities in the United States along with additional communities in 19 other countries gather to take part in this global phenomenon and raise much-needed funds and awareness to save lives from cancer.
For more information, visit www.relayforlife.org/kauaihi
