Last evening we participated in our first Relay For Life. This was our first but it will NOT be our last. It was an incredibly powerful, humbling and family bonding experience for us. It was so great to have family and friends there supporting and cheering Carmen on!
The most amazing part of the evening was the lighting of the Luminaries at 8:00pm. A hush fell over the crowd as Luminaries were lit one at a time as people remembered their loved ones who they dedicated their bags to and reflected on the devastating power of this disease. There was not a dry eye on the field as Sarah McLachlan song "Angel" filled the air. After this moment, survivors shared their "Fight Stories" with the participants reminding everyone that their support is helping to fund scientific research to help beat Cancer.
By the end of the 12 hour Relay for Life, our little island of Kauai and group of participants raised over $57,000 for the American Cancer Society.
It was such an amazing evening. The track was lined with sponsors representing businesses and families on the island. Every tent was featuring food, beverage or gift to raise additional funds for ACS. Some tents were even offering massages, face painting and glitter tattoos.
Heather, Carmen and Trevor were troupers and stayed at the Relay until 10:30pm while Chris stayed to help the St. Regis team maintain a walker on the track for the entire night. At about 11:30pm the entire hotel housekeeping department showed up with tons of baked good and Portuguese Bean Soup. This group was quickly followed by the hotels F&B department as the got off shift at 12:30am.
Many brave walkers endured the entire evening, never stopping for 6 to 8 hours at a time.
At 6:00am, all of the remaining walkers ended the relay by joining hands to form a complete circle around the track to pray together.
It was an incredible experience.
Images of the evening.
Uncle Lance giving Carmen orchid leis!
Carmen watching the festivities begin
Trevor placing our Luminaries
Carmen and Trevor checking out our bags
BFF's
So grateful for friends
Auntie Kristal having fun with Trevor!
Carmen and Friends running before the Relay started
The kiddos doing what they do best...
Holly, Carmen, Neva, David and Trevor
Friends are good!
All of the Survivors started the relay by walking the first two laps
The Survivors Lap!
Walking and hugging!
The beautiful luminaries...a beautiful night
Hundreds of luminaries. Each one representing a loved one celebrating, survivor or being remembered for their fight against cancer.
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