Childhood Cancer Foundation is launching the second annual Light it Up Gold Galway campaign with a candlelit vigil walk this Sunday.
The group will gather at 6pm in Eyre Square and walk to Spanish Arch. The Athenry Youth Choir, Youth Ballet West, and professional dancer Stephanie DuFresne will perform, and there will be stilt walkers, balloon, modelling, face painting. There will be treats for the children and Hannah B’s Bakery will supply cupcakes. T-shirts and gold pins will be available for purchase.
Last year’s vigil was a huge success. Photo via ChildhoodCancer.ie.
The walk is to honour all children who area affected by childhood cancer, those in treatment, those in remission and devastatingly, those who lost their lives.
As part of the international campaign originating in the USA, buildings across the world are lighting it up gold in September to shine a light on the bravery of children dealing with cancer.
Galway’s Browne Door, Meyrick Hotel and G Hotel have gone gold for September—joining international landmarks such as the Niagra Falls, Times Square New York and Harbour Bridge in Texas to raise awareness of childhood cancer.
“Our goal this year is to have gold shining in 32 counties,” says Mary Clair Rennick of Childhood Cancer Foundation, whose daughter was diagnosed with leukaemia in February 2013.
“Increased awareness will improve early detection and increase understanding among policy makers and communities, which will hopefully reduce the isolation of families going through childhood cancer treatment and side effects. Awareness will also lead to improved funding for supports and services for families and funding for research into childhood cancer.”
Over 200 children are diagnosed with cancer each year in Ireland—that’s four families each week.
Childhood Cancer Foundation is committed to raising public awareness of the issues surrounding childhood cancer, developing early diagnosis programmes amongst health care professionals, advocating for improved services for children affected by cancer and assisting to fund vital services for children and families affected by this disease.
