Calling all witches and wizards. Come experience the fun with the Folsom community and help support the fight against childhood cancer at the same time. It’s the 3rd Annual Witches on the Lake, a unique event that will take place on October 19th at 4:00 p.m. at Lake Natoma for an important cause, in particular, a little Fair Oaks hero that’s been battling childhood cancer for 3 years. 100% of donations go to the local organization Keaton’s Child Cancer Alliance.
Keaton’s Child Cancer Alliance is a nonprofit organization providing financial, emotional, and educational assistance to children battling cancer and their families while building awareness and funding towards a cure.
“Three years ago, a friend and local family faced the unimaginable news of their daughter’s diagnosis of a rare cancer—clear cell sarcoma. Inspired by this challenge, I envisioned a community gathering to uplift this cause,” cites organizer and local realtor Janay Taua.
The event is open to the community so grab a paddleboard or kayak and a life jacket, and join the fun on the water or stay on shore, or watch from above on the Rainbow Bridge. Participants are encouraged to wear a witch, wizard costume or any Halloween costume if pointy hats aren’t you’re thing. Regardless if you participate on the water or off, the event is a spectacle like no other.
Due to the large number of people interested in the event this year, Folsom Lake SRA has required the organizers to obtain a special event permit and purchase event insurance. Taua has done both so that this event can still happen, but needs everyone who plans on attending to please register by visiting the official EVENT PAGE HERE.
There are exciting new things for this year’s event. There will be trick-or-treating stations on the water for the little ones, so please indicate how many children will be participating on your R.S.V.P.
Participants and those who are not able to attend have the option to donate to Keaton’s Child Cancer Alliance before the event. The PayPal Giving Fund covers all transaction fees and 100% of your donation goes directly to the charity. SayPies will be taking pre-orders for cookies that can be picked up at the event and is owned by the mom of the group’s Fair Oaks cancer hero. All of this information is included in the link below. Janay Taua thanks everyone for their support of this fun Halloween community event!
Schedule For the Event:
Throw on a witch/wizard costume, grab your paddle board or kayak, and meet on Lake Natoma as early as 4:00pm until Sunset.
4:00 p.m. -5:00 p.m. Children can trick or treat on the water.
Paddle to the RAINBOW BRIDGE AREA BY 5:30 p.m. FOR A GROUP PHOTO. There will be a photographer from above and on the water. Last year there were so many people, but everyone was very spread out. Paddle wherever, but by 5:30 p.m. the goal is to fill the lake in the historic Folsom area near Rainbow Bridge for some photos.
Note, that California State Parks due require $10 for parking at Black Miners Bar. This is a family-friendly Halloween community event, and all ages are welcome. Please exercise all the regular water safety precautions, including wearing of life jackets. As always, paddle and participate at your own risk. Get excited for this very fun annual event, join the 200 participants who have already R.S.V.P.’d, and see you there!
About Keaton’s Child Cancer Alliance
On June 20, 1997, Robyn and Kyle Raphael’s son, Keaton, was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma (cancer of the nervous system). In the following nine months he began a very aggressive treatment approach. It was discovered that a cutting-edge clinical trial was taking place at Boston’s Childrens’ Hospital. This treatment was New Hope and offered Keaton a 70% chance of survival. Together, UC Davis Children’s Hospital and Boston’s Dana Farber Cancer Institute began a program for Keaton. Without hesitation, as a family, they flew to Boston. In December of 1997, Keaton began a double bone marrow transplant. By now, he had endured six cycles of aggressive chemotherapy treatment, removal of the tumor from his abdomen and a lifetime dose of radiation therapy.
On February 20, 1998, after a nine-month battle, they suddenly lost Keaton due to complications of his second transplant. Keaton remains our “Hero of Heroes”, he courageously fought for his life and earned his Angel Wings.
In memory of their son, Robyn and Kyle created the Keaton Raphael Memorial, now known as Keaton’s Child Cancer Alliance. Today, Keaton’s legacy lives on in thousands of children and families. Despite their personal heartbreak, Keaton’s journey opened the Raphael’s eyes, and the eyes many supporters, to the struggles families face when a child has cancer and the urgent need to find a cure. The tragedy of Keaton losing his battle has given countless children and their families hope and helped fuel research efforts to win the larger war.
© Folsom Times, All Town Media LLC
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