2014 Candles for Life Walk-a-thon raised funds for local cancer patients

By: Jose G. Landa, Copyright 2014, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc.

The 2014 Maverick County Candles for Life Walk-a-thon was held on Sunday, October 21, 2014, at the Eagle Pass Independent School District Eagle Field on Del Rio Boulevard in Eagle Pass, Texas, honoring Maverick County’s cancer survivors, remembering local cancer victims by lighting Candles in their honor, and to raise funds for local cancer patients with some of their expenses.

Candles for Life Chairman Bruno Reyes welcomed and thanked all participants to the 2014 Walk-a-thon.   “Whenever you find yourself doubting how far you can go. just remember how far you have come. Remember everything you have faced, all you have won. and all the fears you have overcomed,” said Reyes.

Deacon Juan Martinez blessed the 2014 Walk-a-thon and all the participants.

Local cancer survivor, retired educator, and community advocate Juanita V. Martinez was the keynote speaker at the 2014 Candles for Life Walk-a-thon.

“My name is Juanita V. Martinez and I am a cancer survivor. I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in the year 2000. Like every cancer patient, I have good days and bad days. When I have a bad day, I thank God and remember a very dear friend, a teacher, who was also diagnosed with the same type of cancer. Throughout our journey, we shared notes on how our treatment was going. That friend is no longer with us. I thank the organizers for asking me to speak here today so I can ask you to offer a prayer in his name and for every cancer victim. I lost my voice for six months as one of my vocal chords was paralyzed during the surgery to remove the cancer. My close friends know that this is not my original voice. I like to think of my new voice as a voice God gave to me to help others. I feel that he gave me this voice in order to defend and speak out against anything that may threaten the health and well-being of our citizens and community. I will use this voice and speak loudly against these health threats. In conclusion, with this God given voice and on behalf of all cancer patients and survivors and their families, I thank each and every one of you who are present here today and sincerely thank the organizers and every sponsor who made this event possible and for what Candles for Life means to all of us that battle cancer and those of us who have survived it thus far. God bless us all, thank you,” said Martinez.

After Martinez’s emotional keynote presentation, participants officially commenced the 2014 Candle for Life Walk-a-thon walking around the Eagle Field track and field.

Participants also lit Luminarias or Candles in memory of local cancer victims at dusk around the Eagle Field track and field.

All proceeds raised at the 2014 Candles for Life Walk-a-thon will be donated to Maverick County cancer patients to assist them with some of their personal or medical expenses. Anyone wishing to make a charitable donation to Candles for Life, may do so by contacting them at (830) 757-4980, Bruno Reyes at (830) 213-3087, or Mari Carmen Rangel at (830) 776-0194.

During the Walk-a-thon festivities, many local groups provided entertainment and participated, including the C.C.Winn High School Cheerleaders, Eagle Pass High School Cheerleaders, Henry B Gonzalez, Liberty Elementary, Benavides Elementary, Sam Houston Elementary, Armando Cerna Elementary, San Luis Elementary, Glass Elementary, Literacy Development Center, Ray H. Darr Elementary, Seco Mines Elementary, Perfecto Mancha Elementary, Memorial Jr. High, Extreme Cheer Stars, Glass Elementary , A Tu Salud Zumba, The Rag Dolls, Letty’s Dance Studio, and others.

Student groups also volunteered and participated in the 2014 Walk-a-thon, including the C. C. Winn High School Student Council, Eagle Pass High School HOSA and National Honor Society, and the ACTS group.

Also helping out during the Candles for Life event were the Eagle Pass High School HOSA , NHS, CC. Winn Student Council and ACTS.

The 2014 Candles for Life Team members included Chairperson Bruno Reyes, President Mari Carmen Rangel, Vice-President Mary Hughes, Secretary Shari Roberts, Treasurer Zulma Sandoval, and many members.

Chairperson Bruno Reyes expressed Candles for Life gratitude to the many participants, volunteers, and sponsors, including State Representative Poncho Nevarez, Rey Ruiz, and the Eagle Pass Independent School District.