Celebrating the 5th Annual Lights of Hope Event

Powerful. Inspiring. Wet. Those were the words cancer advocates were using to best describe this year's 5th annual Lights of Hope event. The ceremony celebrated the display of heartfeltξluminaries and provided a guiding light for cancer advocates, lawmakers and members of the general public. Despite strong rain storms that evening, volunteers labored to ensure that every Light of Hope was in place and fully lit. A record 20,000 luminaries - each representing a friend or loved one who battled or continues to battle cancer - glowed brightly in the darkness. With the gigantic H-O-P-E letters in the background and the words HOPE and CURE lit up on the steps of the U.S. Capitol Reflecting Pool, an incredible array of speakers shared their stories and their passion for the fight against cancer. "IŠ—Ève had several friends go through breast cancer, a cousin with colon cancer, my grandfather had skin cancer, one of my oldest friends finished treatment for ovarian cancer earlier this year ...," said actress Marcia Cross. "Congress must fund this research so no one Š—– none of us here this evening and no one across our country Š—– will ever have to fear the words, Š—…You have cancer.Š—ÈŠ— Childhood cancer survivor and ACS CAN volunteer Brittany Avin also inspired the crowd. "We tend to think of cancer as an older personŠ—Ès disease Š—– not one that could strike us when weŠ—Ère growing up," Avin said. "But when I was 13, I learned that age doesnŠ—Èt really matter Š—– I was diagnosed with cancer." See just some of the beautiful pictures taken that evening by those who attended the ceremony and watch the video below.  Lights-of-Hope-Time-Lapse4.mp4