Water Melee mission ...aims to inspire cancer awareness

While raising money for children living with cancer in TT, attendees will also be able to participate in water games and truly “celebrate life” according to Festtopia Foundation founder, Carla Vincent.

Vincent, 36, was inspired to start the organisation and host the event after losing her cousin, Lou Anne, to breast cancer last year. Vincent said Lou Anne was like a sister to her and was deeply pained by the loss. “Lou Anne was a person who was always full of life and laughing. She died at the young age of 38 and I feel she had it hard emotionally because of her children even though he never showed it,” Vincent shared. “Whenever I asked how her how she was feeling, she always said ‘I am good by the grace of God’ which showed me that she always kept her faith.” Although, Vincent and Lou Anne lived in different areas (the former in Trinidad, the latter in Tobago), they spoke everyday.

“I couldn’t be there for her physically but emotionally I was there I would call everyday and talk and make jokes.

I even formed a group chat on What’s App with other family members and had her laughing all day. She was a blessing and touched everyone who met her,” said Vincent.

Her cousin’s battle with the disease was educational for Vincent, however, and Lou Anne’s personality prompted her to do something out of the box in memoriam. “I learned from her that no matter what troubled waters you are going through always trust in God,” the mother and event planner told the Newsday.

It was those troubled waters that inspired the event theme.

When Vincent thought about cancer awareness fund-raisers, she could remember only marathons and felt that water games could provide a creative avenue to pay tribute.

While Vincent wants patrons to have fun, she also wants them to acknowledge the struggles of those battling the disease. “I want people to know that they don’t need to be afraid to get tested for cancer and that they shouldn’t don’t wait until you fall ill to find out.

Don’t be afraid to lend a hand, a shoulder or an ear to someone who has cancer or to someone who has a family member with cancer because it is a heavy burden to bear, going through chemotherapy and radiation or having one or both breasts removed or having your womb removed,” she said.

In addition to the games, the event will start with a series of tributes and stories from people who have lost loved ones to cancer, but more importantly, from cancer survivors. This segment will feature a performance by spoken-word artiste, Zakiya Gill, who recently released a poetic piece in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October) called “Behind Her Smile.” The video can be found on YouTube.

The tribute series, for Vincent, was vital to making Water Melee meaningful. “My purpose for this event is to make the general public more aware of the different types of cancer. But I also hope people leave with memories of life; to always enjoy and appreciate the simplest moments and to always show love and affection to the people around you and forgive. Cancer isn’t contagious, but laughter and love is,” said Vincent.

Water Melee takes place on November 12, at Skinner Park, San Fernando from 9 am. To register to play or make a donation, contact Vincent at 799-2608 or festtopiaevents@ gmail.com. You can also find out more by visiting the Facebook page: Festtopia Foundation for Cancer Awareness.