Blood Cancer Community Comes Together for Light The Night Okanagan Community Walk
Okanagan hosts its second annual walk fundraiser to support blood cancer patients
OKANAGAN, BC, June 12, 2019 /CNW/ - On June 15th, nearly 100 participants will gather at Waterfront Park in Kelowna to take part in the volunteer-led, Light The Night Okanagan Community Walk. Patients, families and their supporters, will walk in solidarity with lanterns raised to bring help and hope to the more than 138,000 Canadians affected by blood cancers. This year marks the second annual for this walk in the Okanagan. Excitement abounds amongst the event volunteers in making this a special event for everyone.
Olivia Mikkelsen, our honored hero, will be among those attending this unique event where the entire blood cancer community comes together to celebrate, remember and fan the flames of hope.
At the young age of 2, Olivia was diagnosed with ALL (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia). At one point in her journey, 85% of her blood cells were abnormal and she was only given 24 hours left to live. While in transit to Vancouver for treatment, she was given platelet transfusions and blood just to survive the flight. Now, at 14 years old, Olivia's treatments are smaller appointments and thankfully over the years and during recovery she's become much stronger and a healthier person.
In 2018, over 35,000 Canadians raised over $5.9 million to help fund world-class Canadian research and provide support services at no cost to thousands of blood cancer patients, survivors and their families.
At the Light The Night Okanagan Community Walk, Olivia and her family will join all the participants in solidarity to bring light to the darkness of blood cancers. Please join us.
Can't make it to the event? Support the teams that are walking in the event by donating online at:
Light The Night Okanagan Community Walk
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
[6:00pm] | Registration Opens
[6:45pm] | Opening Ceremony
[7:00pm] | Walk Starts
[8:00pm] | Informal Farewells
About Light The Night Walk
Each year, in communities across Canada, teams of families, friends, and co-workers walk into the night holding illuminated lanterns to raise funds for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada at the Light The Night Walks. Together, they bring help and hope to people affected by blood cancers and their families. The Walks are an inspirational and memorable evening event that takes place in nearly 200 communities across North America each fall. There are 12 LLSC hosted Light The Night Walks and dozens of volunteer-hosted community and school walks across the country. Visit LightTheNight.ca to learn more.
About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada is the single largest voluntary health agency dedicated to blood cancers in the country. LLSC funds lifesaving blood cancer research across Canada, and provides free information and support services. Our mission is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.
SOURCE The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada
Ryan O'Quinn, Yukon Regional Director, Mobile: 604-652-4763, Office: 604-733-2873 ext. 5199, [email protected]
Share this article