The American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life of Waimea is hosting an official kickoff this weekend for its 11th annual event Oct. 25.
Coordinators also recently announced new daytime hours of 11 a.m.-11 p.m. for the fall benefit event, instead of the traditional overnight event from 6 p.m.-6 a.m.
The kickoff is slated for 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday at the Parker School Farmer’s Market and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in front of KTA in Waimea.
Community members can stop by the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life booth at either location to learn about the event’s new daytime hours and sign up teams to walk.
“This year’s event will be held at Waimea Park at 65-1260 Kawaihae Road during the day, encouraging more families and school-age children to participate. Individuals and teams camp out at the park, with the goal of keeping at least one team member walking around a track in the park at all times,” said event founder and governing board chairman Bernie Kainoa.
“This event brings together friends, families, businesses, hospitals, schools, faith-based groups — people from all walks of life — aimed to honor cancer survivors, remember loved ones lost and fight back against the disease.”
“We raise money and we raise awareness,” said Kainoa. “Many of the participants are cancer survivors, which serves as a reminder that Waimea is not immune to this disease and that by participating in Relay, we are joining with the American Cancer Society’s efforts to create a world with less cancer.”
This year’s theme is a Paniolo Country Fair as a tribute to Waimea’s ranching history. Many on-site fundraising efforts are being planned around this theme, including games, activities and food, said Kainoa.
This year’s Relay For Life of Waimea goal is to raise $40,000. Funds raised at Relay For Life of Waimea enable the American Cancer Society to impact the lives of those touched by cancer within the community.
For additional details about this year’s Relay event, this weekend’s kick-off events or to purchase luminaries, visit www.RelayForLife.org (search for Waimea event), or contact Sancie De Mattos at 938-8413 or sancie.demattos@cancer.org, or Kainoa at 938-2762 or kainoa001@hawaii.rr.com.
