Guitar Hotel to shine gold for childhood cancer awareness

The Seminole Hard Rock Guitar Hotel in Davie will light up gold for the first time on Sept. 25 to honor children battling cancer, survivors and families who have lost children to the disease. Mystic Force Foundation says the display is meant to raise awareness and give families a public moment of recognition.

Why it matters: - The gold lighting turns a major South Florida landmark into a visible symbol for childhood cancer awareness. - Families attending the event will see a public show of support for children in treatment, survivors and “Angel families” remembering children lost to cancer. - The display is expected to be visible across the regional Broward and Miami-Dade skyline on a clear night.

What happened: - The Guitar Hotel at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Davie will light up gold for childhood cancer for the first time. - The lighting is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25, at 1 Seminole Way, Davie, FL 33314. - Children battling cancer, survivors and Angel families will gather in the Bora Bora Cabana area to watch the landmark illuminate. - Space in the Bora Bora Cabana area is limited to participating families.

The details: - Mystic Force Foundation said the moment is meant to remind families that their children are supported, their courage is celebrated and those they have lost will be remembered. - The Guitar Hotel’s vertical light beams reach at least 20,000 feet, or nearly 4 miles, into the South Florida sky. - The beams and the 450-foot guitar tower can be seen from more than 10 miles away on a clear night. - Silvia Vanni, co-founder and executive director of Mystic Force Foundation, said the lighting gives warriors, survivors and Angel families a landmark shining just for them. - Vanni said the foundation is grateful to the Guitar Hotel for making the first gold lighting possible and helping raise awareness of childhood cancer. - Mystic Force Foundation was founded in 2008 by Dr. Steven and Silvia Vanni after their 4-year-old son Salvatore was diagnosed with Stage IV neuroblastoma. - The foundation says its work includes childhood cancer awareness, research funding, national advocacy, Dream Wishes, emergency financial support and hospital programs and celebrations. - Heroes Hangout, the foundation’s childhood cancer haven in North Miami Beach, has served children from hospitals across South Florida for 8 years. - Heroes Hangout is free to families and fully community supported.

Between the lines: - The event blends a landmark lighting with family-centered advocacy, which can help turn awareness into a shared public experience. - Mystic Force Foundation is using a high-visibility venue to broaden the emotional reach of a cause that often plays out privately in hospitals and homes. - The emphasis on survivors and Angel families shows the foundation is framing childhood cancer as both a medical issue and a long-term family experience.

What's next: - The gold lighting will take place Friday evening, with the landmark visible from nearby locations beyond the cabana area. - Mystic Force Foundation will continue its advocacy, family support and hospital-based programs through its mission to help children battling cancer. - Media inquiries go to Silvia Vanni at Mystic Force Foundation at 305.726.1155. - More information is available through the foundation’s social links, Facebook page, YouTube channel, and link hub.

The bottom line: - The first gold lighting of the Guitar Hotel gives childhood cancer families a highly visible tribute and a public platform for awareness.