LIHU‘E — Youth are joining in the fight against cancer by raising money and participating in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life scheduled for April 27 at Hanapepe Stadium. Kapa‘a Middle School hosted a Relay Field Day Friday, an
LIHU‘E — Youth are joining in the fight against cancer by raising money and participating in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life scheduled for April 27 at Hanapepe Stadium.
Kapa‘a Middle School hosted a Relay Field Day Friday, an abbreviated version of the ACS’s national signature activity, Relay for Life.
During the Relay Field Day coordinated by Terry Maguire, a Kapa‘a Middle School teacher, students learned about cancer prevention and education while also raising funds for the American Cancer Society to help create a world with more birthdays, said Katie Burleson of the ACS Kaua‘i Field Office.
“They raised more than $1,000,” Burleson said. “They’re just a few dollars shy of $1,100.”
Funds raised by the students will be donated to the ACS Relay for Life in the name of their school.
During the fundraising, which took place at the Relay Field Day coordinated by Kapa‘a Middle School students Kiele Baliaris, Emma Burrati, Chono Fernandez, Sean Harrington and Makayla Hirokane, with Maguire advising, students could participate in a Jail and Stay fundraiser.
Students could contribute a dollar to keep their teacher in “jail” for two minutes.
“This is a great opportunity for the students to make an impact in the community as well as become knowledgeable about cancer,” Maguire said. “The students feel good about themselves knowing they are doing something to help others.”
On Saturday night, youth received help from their families as Team Stompers set up a tent during First Saturday in Old Kapa‘a Town, a monthly event coordinated by the Kapa‘a Business Association.
Team Stompers offered First Saturday patrons a preview of the April 27 Relay, offering illuminated batons, wands and bracelets along with hot chocolate and contributions for luminaria, which will be set up April 27.
All of the proceeds will benefit the American Cancer Society.
Earlier in the month, the Associated Students of the University of Hawai‘i, Kaua‘i Community College hosted a food booth selling Malasadas on a Stick during the ASUH KCC Spring Festival, which attracted hundreds of families to the celebration of Easter at the KCC campus.
“We’re participating in the ACS Relay, too,” said Richelle Rodriguez, a KCC student. “In addition to the malasadas, we have donation buckets set up at other booths to help the ACS.”
Rodriguez said the ASUH KCC team has about 16 students in it, and when they established the team, set a goal which was surpassed during the Spring Festival.
Burleson said the Kaua‘i Relay for Life will take place from 6 p.m. April 27 through 6 a.m. April 28 at the Hanapepe Stadium soccer fields and is estimated to help raise $170,000 toward the American Cancer Society’s mission of saving lives from cancer.
Visit www.relayforlife.org to sign up or support a participant or team on Kaua‘i.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.
