Candles for Life Walkathon to be held Sunday, October 20th
By: Ricardo E. Calderon
Copyright 2013
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Eagle Pass’ Candles for Life, a non-profit 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization, is hosting its 2013 Candles for Life Walkathon on Sunday, October 20, 2013, at 6 P.M. at the Maverick County Hospital District located at 3406 Bob Rogers Drive in Eagle Pass, Texas to raise funds for Maverick County cancer patients and assist them with some of their financial costs, announced Mary D. Hughes, Chairperson of Candles for Life.
“All of the Eagle Pass and Maverick County residents are invited to attend and participate in the 2013 Candles for Life Walkathon because every one of us have or have had a loved one or a family member stricken by cancer at one time or another. Participants raise money for local cancer patients to assist them with some of their financial costs and/or expenses. All of the money raised at the October 20th Walkathon stays and remains in Maverick County to benefit and assist our local cancer patients. None of the money goes out of town to pay for administrative costs of operating an organization like other national cancer groups. 100% of the monies raised go to help Maverick County cancer patients,” said Hughes. Candles for Life is a volunteer-based organization.
Assisting and caring for Maverick County cancer patients is dear and personal to Mary D. Hughes as she lost a beloved sister to Breast Cancer several years ago. Hughes promised her sister that she would work tirelessly to help other cancer patients battle all forms of cancer, especially to women and Maverick County residents.
Hughes is now the Program Director of the Maverick County Hospital District’s Breast and Cervical Cancer Services Program in Eagle Pass. “The best cancer prevention is testing and early detection,” said Hughes. The MCHD’s Breast and Cervical Cancer Services Program offers clinical breast examinations, mammograms, pelvic tests, and PAP tests at no or low cost to eligible women. Recently, the MCHD Board of Directors approved to provide office space to Candles for Life at one dollar per year at its district headquarters to assist this important non-profit organization in the community.
“Candles for Life has already helped over 150 Maverick County cancer patients and there are many more we need to assist. With every person participating in the Candles for Life Walkathon and/or making a charitable donation to Candles for Life, we will be able to help many more local cancer patients with some of their expenses,” said Hughes.
Maverick County cancer survivors will be participating in the 2013 Candles for Life Walkathon and participants will be able to light a luminaria in honor of fallen cancer patients.
The 2013 Candles for Life Board of Directors include Maricarmen Rangel, President; Ani Santleben, Vice-President; Shari Roberts, Secretary; Sofia Gallo and Carmen Urueta, Treasurers; Juliet Martinez, Medical Advisor; and Advisory Board Members Dr. Ricardo De Los Santos, Debbie De Los Santos, Jesus Casas, Rosa De La Garza, Mike Garcia, Julieta Odeneal, and Mary D. Hughes.
Local individuals and businesses are encouraged to participate in the 2013 Candles for Life Walkathon and help raise funds for Maverick County cancer patients. To participate in the Candles for Life Walkathon and/or make a charitable donation to Candles for Life, please contact Mary D. Hughes or Candles for Life at (830) 757-4907.
