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Community joins fight against cancer at West Maui Relay For Life

By Staff | Jul 31, 2014

West and South Maui Sen. Roz Baker spoke to the crowd at the West Maui Relay For Life. Baker is a cancer survivor. PHOTO BY NORM BEZANE.

LAHAINA – Passionate about victims of cancer, a tearful Roz Baker made a plea to hundreds of Maui residents at the West Maui Relay For Life on Saturday night, July 19, to take steps to lead healthy lives and ward off the devastating disease.

With 300 or more decorated Luminaria containing the names of family members and friends who perished from cancer, Sen. Baker said people can win this fight and end the disease in the 21st century.

Throughout the evening, an orange-shirted parade of workers from Duke’s Beach House, members of the morning and evening Rotary clubs, representatives of numerous organizations and individuals – including survivors wearing purple sashes – marched around a site near the Lahaina Aquatic Center to demonstrate their oneness in the fight against cancer.

Lahaina seniors danced hula and hung out in a colorful tent decorated in an Oriental theme. Zumba groups performed early and late, inspiring some of the walkers to dance their way around the Relay for Life circuit.

Showing a video of Luminaria, Baker offered memorable insights into what the fight against cancer is all about.

“I don’t want to lose another life,” Baker said. “We all need to come together and get involved. Together, we can win.”

Baker urged listeners to take every possible preventative measure: wear sun screen, schedule routine testing for colon cancers and lead a healthy lifestyle. She said not to smoke or subject keiki to second-hand smoke.

Stop being couch potatoes and walk 30 minutes a day, Baker said.

“I ask you to take one step a month” to help in the fight against cancer, the senator representing West and South Maui said.

Threatening rains that could have put a damper on the Relay for Life held off until past midnight.

More photos of the evening’s events are posted on the revamped website www.VoicesofMaui.com.