web1_walkrunwellness.jpg

Wyoming Seminary wellness event provides exercise, fun for students and families

web1_TonyGeorge1.jpg

Our Opinion: After turbulent start to Tony George’s term, expect the Wilkes-Barre mayor to change pace

<p>WILKES-BARRE &#8212; Hundreds gathered at Kirby Park on Saturday for the 19th annual Candy&#8217;s Place Rainbow Walk.</p><p>Organizers said they hoped to raise around $25,000 to benefit the cancer wellness center in Forty Fort.</p><p>&#8220;With Mother&#8217;s Day this weekend, today&#8217;s walk has a special meaning for many,&#8221; Candy&#8217;s Place founder Penny Cunningham said. &#8220;Sadly, there are a lot of families affected with cancer.</p><p>&#8220;You don&#8217;t have to look far to find someone.&#8221;</p><p>The participants walked a two-mile trail to celebrate cancer survivors, remember loved ones and honor the care-givers who can bear a heavy burden as well, Cunningham said.</p><p>The walk is designed so it is something the patients can do. Some patients walked the whole distance, others only a short way. Still they were able to participate in something which is very important to them, Cunningham said.</p><p>The real focus is on sharing good feelings and memories, not on sadness and mourning, she added.</p><p>&#8220;It&#8217;s really a fun community event,&#8221; she said.</p><p>Cunningham marveled at how the nonprofit has been able to continue for almost 20 years, all through the support of the community.</p><p>&#8220;We really want to thank the volunteers, sponsors and participants,&#8221; she said.</p><p>The Rainbow Walk is the largest fundraiser for the organization.</p><p>Mary Ann Gaprindachvili, one of the volunteers at Saturday&#8217;s event, said she got involved with Candy&#8217;s Place about seven years ago.</p><p>She advises anyone who wishes to contact the organization to not be afraid to get involved.</p><p>&#8220;It&#8217;s casual,&#8221; she said. &#8220;And it&#8217;s free, free, free.&#8221;</p><p>Unlike medical institutions, which focus on the business end of patient care, Candy&#8217;s Place focuses on helping the &#8220;soul.&#8221;</p><p>&#8220;They give you a hug at the door,&#8221; Gaprindachvili said.</p><p>Cancer survivor and the event&#8217;s keynote speaker Pat Hess was honored when asked to speak at the walk. At the insistence of her daughter, she took the microphone to tell her story.</p><p>She told the group, that she described as brave, enthusiastic, upbeat and giving, to not let cancer &#8220;define who they are.&#8221;</p><p>&#8220;Don&#8217;t even think about it,&#8221; she advises.</p><style>
.neFileBlock {
	margin-bottom: 20px;
}
.neFileBlock p {
	margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px;
}
.neFileBlock .neFile {
	border-bottom: 1px dotted #aaa;
	padding-bottom: 5px;
	padding-top: 10px;
}
.neFileBlock .neCaption {
	font-size: 85%;
}
</style>
<div class='neFileBlock'>
<div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/web1_thumbnail_TTL050816RAINBOWwalk_4-1.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">A group of walkers lead the Candy&#8217;s Place Rainbow Walk through Kirby Park on Saturday in Wilkes-Barre. The walk raises money for Candy&#8217;s Place, a cancer wellness center, in Forty Fort. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/web1_thumbnail_TTL050816RAINBOWwalk_4-1.jpg</photo0><caption0>A group of walkers lead the Candy&#8217;s Place Rainbow Walk through Kirby Park on Saturday in Wilkes-Barre. The walk raises money for Candy&#8217;s Place, a cancer wellness center, in Forty Fort. </caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/web1_thumbnail_TTL050816RAINBOWwalk_1.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Participants in Saturday&#8217;s Candy&#8217;s Place Rainbow Walk get in to the spirit of the day at Kirby Park in Wilkes-Barre. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo1>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/web1_thumbnail_TTL050816RAINBOWwalk_1.jpg</photo1><caption1>Participants in Saturday&#8217;s Candy&#8217;s Place Rainbow Walk get in to the spirit of the day at Kirby Park in Wilkes-Barre. </caption1><photoCredit1></photoCredit1></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><subheadMeta>Rainbow Walk in Kirby Park raises funds for Candy&#8217;s Place</subheadMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Ralph Nardone</p><p>For Times Leader</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach the Times Leader newsroom at 570-829-4242 or on Twitter @TLnes.</p></shirttailMeta></div>