Foundation is launching the fourth annual Light It Up Gold campaign with a candlelit walk in Galway city centre on Sunday September 4.
The launch will include face-painting and children's entertainment prior to walking to the Spanish Arch, led by Mayor Noel Larkin. After the walk, participants will gather for a short candlelit ceremony with performances from Athenry Youth Choir and Youth Ballet West. As part of the international campaign, buildings across the world will be cast gold to shine a light on the bravery of children dealing with cancer.
The Browne Door in Galway will be golden for the night, along with a host of other Irish landmarks.
“The campaign is spreading every year with buildings across Ireland and the UK joining international landmarks.” says Mary Claire Rennick of Childhood Cancer Foundation. More than 200 Irish children are diagnosed with cancer each year, which breaks down to almost four families a week who are faced with the frightening news that a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer. Childhood cancer is the biggest cause of child death by disease in Ireland. T"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," said Rennick. "Awareness will also lead to improved funding for supports and services for families and funding for research into childhood cancer."
Last year, more than 250 people took the Eyre Square for the event, and this year, bigger crowds are expected. The event will begin at 6pm on Eyre Square, ahead of the live music and entertainment at the Spanish Arch. For more information, visit www.childhoodcancer.ie, or search Light It Up Gold on Facebook.
