The West Texas Gifts of Hope wants to raise awareness to the community that people who have been affected by all types of cancer deserve to be recognized.
For three years now, the West Texas Gifts of Hope has acknowledged those people with its annual Paint the Park.
The event, which will take place from 10 a.m. to noon Sept. 25 at Memorial Gardens Park, is held to make a difference in the community for cancer awareness and to honor those who have fought the disease.
“It’s a community event and a celebration to honor those who have lost their lives to cancer but to also honor those who are still fighting for that cause and undergoing treatment and the ones who have survived,” Executive Director for the West Texas Gifts of Hope Brenda Medlock said.
The West Texas Gifts of Hope is a nonprofit 501C3 organization that provides assistance to cancer patients in the Permian Basin.
The organization’s Hope House provides lodging and other free services for cancer patients who are undergoing treatment.
Flags will be flown at the park to support those who are suffering from a particular type of cancer.
The names of people who have flags will be read aloud during a short program at the event.
This year there will be more than 200 flags flying.
The number of flags that are flown at Paint the Park has grown over the last couple of years.
West Texas Gifts of Hope Staff Member Janett Frentress said last year’s event had close to 125 flags.
This year’s Paint the Park will include a color run as well as a walk.
“We’ll also have vendor tables for people in the health field who might have some information for people who come out,” Frentress said.
In addition, MCH will have a vaccine tent as well at the park.
The color run is free and open to anyone who wants to participate
“There is no fee for doing that,” Medlock said. “We just ask you to register before you participate in the color run and walk. It’s going to be fantastic. It’s for all family members.”
The addition of the run is the main difference between this year and last year, Frentress said.
“This year, we added the color run,” Frentress said. “We also have so many more flags this year and it’ll be interesting.”
The event used to focus only on those who had breast cancer.
After that, the event was modified to include those who have suffered from all types of cancer.
“For six years, it was Pink the Park,” Medlock said. “We changed it for all cancer types so that we can also let those who have different types of cancer, other than breast cancer, know that we’re also supporting them.”
The goal of Paint the Park is to not only bring awareness to the community but to also let cancer patients know that the West Texas Gifts of Hope is there to help.
“This gives us the opportunity to, in a public way, remember or honor the people who have fought cancer,” Frentress said. “We also hope it brings awareness to our organization and all the services that we provide for cancer patients for free and to just let them know that we’re out there and we’re available if they find themselves in this situation.”
Medlock is grateful for the support from the community.
“Just to have that support from the businesses and individuals is amazing because I feel like this community supports West Texas Gifts of Hope and this is one way that they’re showing that they are behind us and that the people who have cancer and are fighting this disease, they’re not alone,” Medlock said.
More information on this year’s Paint the Park can be found at tinyurl.com/2ujruvvs.
If you go
- What: Paint the Park.
- When: 10 a.m. to noon Sept. 25.
- Where: Memorial Gardens Park, E. 42nd Street.
