Candlelighters ambassadors named for event

Join the Candlelighters ambassadors to support kids with cancer at the Candlelighters Shine for a Superhero 5K and 1 Mile Race with Chet Buchanan on Saturday, Sept. 13 at Exploration Park in the Mountain’s Edge master planned community. The park is at 9700 South Buffalo Drive, just south of Blue Diamond Road.

Three very special people serve as event ambassadors. Their courage, spirit and bravery in dealing with their cancer make them inspirations for all those around them and exemplify the nonprofit Candlelighters and Shine for a Superhero message of helping those battling the deadly disease.

Eighteen-year-old Justin was diagnosed in 2008 with osteosarcoma, a cancerous bone tumor that usually develops in teenagers, and finished chemotherapy in August 2009. After four years of trying to save his left leg, Justin had it amputated above the knee. He recently graduated from Rancho High School’s medical magnet program and will be attending the University of Nevada Reno for its pre-nursing degree program. Although Justin has heart, hearing and leg issues because of chemotherapy, he refuses to let them stop him from living a great life.

After being diagnosed with osteosarcoma in 2006, 12-year-old Isaac lives his life to show other kids that cancer is not scary. Like Justin, Isaac has a fully functioning prosthetic leg and is a great athlete.

Alex is the event’s Angel Ambassador after losing his battle with leukemia in 2010, a short 64 days after diagnosis. He had a terrific attitude and never once entertained the thought that leukemia would get the best of him. Alex made his hospital stay fun, making the nurses and other patients laugh constantly, and doing things like dying his hair bright pink and shaving his head before his hair began to fall out.

Formerly called the “Race for our Kids,” the Candlelighters Shine for a Superhero event helps raise critically needed funds to support those affected by childhood cancer and educate the public regarding the impact cancer has on the many children and families in Southern Nevada. With this goal in mind, families, friends, businesses and co-workers are encouraged to participate by organizing, joining or donating to a team or becoming a race or walk participant. Costumes – particularly superheroes – and well-behaved, leashed pets are welcome.

In addition to the race, there will be food and refreshments, and activities including raffle prizes, superhero bounce houses, a children’s play area, children’s art, an awards ceremony, booths and exhibitors. Some popular superheroes will be there to meet the children.

Registration is open online at www.candlelightersnv.org with late registration available at 6:30 a.m. on event day. The 5K run starts at 8 a.m., and the 5K walk and one mile stroll begin at 8:15 a.m. Other activities will follow.

To participate, costs are: $25 teams (10 members or more), $25 individual adults, $20 seniors, $15 children (ages 3-12 years old), free for childhood cancer survivors and children under 3 years old, and $40 race-day registration.

The event is sponsored by Centennial Toyota, Mountain’s Edge and KLAS-TV Channel 8. For information or registration, visit www.candlelightersnv.org or call 702-737-1919.

Festival attendees also are invited to tour the fast-selling master plan, and its many neighborhoods by the industry’s top homebuilders. They feature versatile, well-appointed floor plans for every lifestyle and include DR Horton, KB Home, Lennar, Pulte Homes, Richmond American Homes and Ryland Homes.

Richmond American Home’s Sutter Hills is selling the largest new homes in Mountain’s Edge. They’re up to 3,800 square feet and priced from the mid $300,000s. Quick move-in homes are available and come with maple cabinets, granite kitchen countertops, ceramic tile flooring and other amenities.

Located in southwest Las Vegas, Mountain’s Edge celebrates the rich history and natural beauty of the area. Developed by Focus Property Group, it consistently has ranked among the country’s top 10 – now at No. 4 – best-selling master planned communities, according to leading independent real estate advisory firms.

To learn about Mountain’s Edge, visit the information center at 9725 S. Buffalo Drive (corner of Buffalo Dr. and Blue Diamond Rd.), call 702-898-5777 or visit www.mountainsedge.com.