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Launching the Celebration Of Light at Tralee Wetlands on Wednesday morning were Philomena Stack, Maureen O’Brien, Marisa Reidy and Dermot Crowley of Recovery Haven, Anthony O’Gara of Rose Of Tralee International Festival, Joanie McAuliffe of Tralee Bay Wetlands and Linda Lynch of Kerry Choral Union. Photo by Dermot Crean
CANCER support charity, Recovery Haven Kerry, is extending a warm invitation to the people of Kerry to join them at Tralee Bay Wetlands on Wednesday, August 15 for the seventh annual Celebration of Light.
Run in conjunction with the Rose of Tralee Festival and Kerry Choral Union, this poignant candle-lighting ceremony has become a hugely important event for those touched by cancer, offering them a welcome opportunity to come together to share experiences and celebrate the lives of family and friends.
This year’s ceremony will commence at 8pm with a performance by Kerry Choral Union, followed by the symbolic lighting and release of candles on the water.
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The candles will be available to buy on the night or at Recovery Haven in Tralee in advance of the event.
2017 Rose of Tralee Jennifer Byrne will be the special guest on the evening, while several of this year’s Rose of Tralee contestants and escorts, along with Rose of Tralee Chief Executive, Anthony O’Gara, will also be present for this very special event on August 15th.
Recovery Haven Kerry manager, Siobhan MacSweeney said that this very moving ceremony creates a great meeting point for people who have been affected by cancer, either personally or through someone they love.
“The symbolic lighting of candles creates a very special atmosphere, whereby people are united and hope is renewed,” she said. “Through solidarity and light, our sincere aim is to being hope to our community in a time when, perhaps, they may be struggling to find some.”
Recovery Haven Kerry delivers caring and therapeutic services to those who are experiencing cancer, their families and carers free of charge in a tranquil and safe environment in Tralee – with outreach services in Killarney and most recently Killorglin.
Last year, there were just over 2,000 attendances to their cancer support centres across the county – a record for the charity. In that time, Recovery Haven Kerry provided hundreds of free counselling sessions to men, women and children, as well hundreds of sessions of complementary therapies.
Already this year, attendances have reached over 1,400, with counselling sessions increasing by 25 per cent in the first six months of the year.
