Round 5: Knockout cancer for Candlelighters Kids

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Preparing for its fifth year, Knockout Cancer for Candlelighters Kids is an annual MMA event that was created to help raise funds and awareness for Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation of Nevada.

Candlelighters provides programs and services for local families of children diagnosed with cancer, having helped several thousands of children and families in our community, since the organization was founded in 1978.M

Candlelighters serves approximately 100 families monthly, and as many as 600 families throughout the year. Funds raised by events such as Knockout Cancer for Candlelighters Kids, help the organization provide more than 25 programs to kids and families in need.

Knockout Cancer for Candlelighters Kids continues to build on its efforts to raise more money and make a bigger impact in our community. In the last four years, the event has raised more than $100,000, with this year’s event - featuring MMA and boxing - is certain to take that number even higher.

OUR FIRST EVENT: GETTING STARTED

During Knockout Cancer for Candlelighters Kids first year, there were close to 300 people in attendance. The event was held at Randy Couture's Xtreme Couture Gym, featuring a 10 fight exhibition with up-and-coming amateur fighters. Admission was $25 which included featured fights, food, beverages, entertainment and drawings. During the event, Candlelighters Kids art was auctioned off along with signed memorabilia from Randy Couture and other great fighters. The first annual event raised more than $12,000 for Candlelighters.

This unique fighting experience brings together MMA supporters to enjoy the contact sport while making a difference in the lives’ of families battling childhood cancer. The event continues to grow year after year and has become an annual, signature event for Candlelighters. On the Palms Marquee in 2012 SUCCESSFUL MMA/BOXING EVENT PREPARES FOR FIFTH YEAR MORE THAN $100,000 RAISED FOR CHILDREN WITH CANCER

OUR SECOND YEAR: BUILDING MOMENTUM

In its second year, Candlelighters teamed up with Tuff-N-Uff, a local fight promotion company. The partnership allowed 12 fights, sanctioned by the Nevada State Athletic Commissioner, adding a new layer of competition to the event. The event gained a lot of exposure through promotions such electronic billboards ads and media interviews on 840am with Dave and Mahoney and on MMA Junkies’ station, as well as a featured story on both Fox 5 and KLAS 8 News Now. In addition, the charity teamed up with Black Belt television from Los Angeles as well as HD Net which aired the event. Due to these efforts Candlelighters brought in more than $17,000 and had more than 650 people in attendance.

OUR THIRD YEAR: TAKING THE EVENT TO ANOTHER LEVEL

With momentum building and Xtreme Couture close to maximum capacity for the 2011 event, it was time to explore new options for Knockout Cancer for Candlelighters Kids. To better accommodate increased attendance, food and beverage vendors, and sponsors we held the third annual event at The Palms in The Pearl Theater on October 11, 2012. There were nearly a
dozen fights, along with a silent auction. The event raised more than $34,000 for Candlelighters.

OUR FOURTH YEAR: BREAKING THE $100,000 RAISED MARK

Our fourth year event was held on October 3rd at the Orleans Arena and featured MMA and boxing matches, giving the crowd a diverse show of great fights. We raised nearly $40,000 during the event, helping push our total funds raised over $100,000. Funds were raised from sponsorships, donations, ticket sales, and a silent auction that included items donated from local businesses and the UFC.