Candlelighters helps support children fighting cancer

The annual Candlelighters 5K and One-Mile Race for our Kids with Chet Buchanan returns to the Mountain’s Edge master-planned community Sept. 14. Now in its 23rd year, the event includes activities for the family and raises funds and awareness to support children with cancer and their families through the Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation of Nevada.

The event has three special ambassadors, ages 4 to 16, who are battling cancer.

Four-year-old Aiden Hennagir was diagnosed with Retinoblastoma in December 2012, subsequently had his left eye surgically removed, and has one more round of chemotherapy left. It’s a good thing he’s an avid video game player because it helps strengthen his right eye.

Aiden recently fulfilled his Make-A-Wish request by going on a family Disney cruise where he danced with Disney characters. Aiden has his own Candlelighters 5K team, called Team Super Aiden. Members will be wearing capes at the race.

Serving as an Angel Ambassador, Brandon Rayner was 10 years old when he lost his battle from leukemia Dec. 24, 2008. He fought the good fight practically all his life, having been diagnosed with a brain tumor at 2. Brandon was a collector, gathering everything from business cards to keys to wrenches. His goal was to have the most business cards for the Guinness Book of Records. Though he fell short of the record, he collected more than 1 million cards.

Sixteen-year-old Stephanie Austin has Ewing’s sarcoma. She said she finds enjoyment in many things, but particularly loves going to Candlelighters camp and the Ellis Island Candlelighters Halloween Bash, volleyball, swimming, being a teenager and sometimes “just being lazy.”

The Candlelighters race and walk will begin and end at Mountain’s Edge’s Exploration Park, 9275 South Buffalo Drive, south of Blue Diamond Road. The courses weave through the community.

There also will be free food and refreshments, prizes, children’s play area, children’s art, bone marrow drive, Boot Camp Las Vegas 5K plus-obstacle course and awards ceremony.

Key times are: 6:30 a.m., check-in; 7:30 a.m., opening ceremonies; 8 a.m., 5K run; 8:15 a.m., 5K walk; and 8:30 a.m., 1-mile stroll. Other activities will continue until 11:30 a.m.

It’s free to attend Race for our Kids. To participate in the race and walk, costs are: $25 teams (10 members or more), $30 individual adults, $20 seniors, $15 children (ages 3-12 years old), free for childhood cancer survivors and children younger than 3 and $40 race day registration.

Online and team registration closes at midnight on Sept. 3, but individual registration will continue until 7:30 a.m. on race day. For details and information, visit www.candlelightersnv.org or call 702-737-1919.

Race for our Kids attendees are invited to explore the 3,500-acre Mountain’s Edge master plan. It is the country’s No. 5 fastest-selling master-planned community, according to leading independent real estate advisory firms.

Homebuilders are Beazer Homes, DR Horton, Harmony Homes, KB Home, Lennar, Pardee Homes, Pulte Homes, Richmond American Homes, Ryland Homes, Storybrook Homes, William Lyon Homes and Woodside Homes.

A hallmark of the master plan is its hundreds of acres of land devoted to open spaces, parks, trail systems and winding paseos, which are integrated into the community, connecting residents and neighborhoods to recreation areas.

The 80-acre Exploration Park features replicas of Old West village and archaeological dig area, Native American-theme play structures, splash pad, picnic areas, and the 2,846-foot-tall Exploration Peak with hiking and cycling trails and panoramic views.

To learn about Mountain’s Edge, visit the information center, open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily at 9275 S. Buffalo Drive; call 702-898-5777; or visit www.mountainsedge.com.