CALGARY, Oct. 11, 2016 /CNW/ - On Saturday, October 15, thousands of participants will gather at Eau Claire Market to take part in The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada's 12th annual Light The Night Walk in Calgary. At twilight, participants will walk in solidarity along a designated 5 Km route, with a 3km option, to bring help and hope to the more than 100,000 Canadians affected by a blood cancer.
Canadians like Calgary resident, Matt Miller, will be among those in attendance. In the fall of 2014, the lively young man received the devastating news that he had a blood cancer, Hodgkin's lymphoma. At only 22 years old, he began chemotherapy that would continue over the course of the next 6 months. While he expected to experience some unpleasant and even painful side effects, he didn't anticipate the complications that ensued – blood clots in both his arms and a pulmonary embolism. With support from friends and family, Matt pulled through all six rounds of treatment and by the end of April of 2015, he was in remission.
"When I attended my first Light The Night walk, I was 6 months out of my last treatment," recalls Miller, captain of his Light The Night team that's looking to raise $4,000. "The physical reminder that there are thousands of people supporting not only me, but the entire community was inspirational, and helped remind me that I am never alone, even when I felt entirely isolated."
Light The Night Walks is an opportunity for groups of friends, families and colleagues to form teams to raise funds for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada in honour of loved ones affected by the disease and in memory of those who've lost their lives.
In 2015, over 35,000 Canadians raised $5.4 million to help fund world-class researchers working on the most promising projects in Canada to improve treatments or find cures for the various forms of blood cancers. In addition, monies raised make it possible to provide free information and support services to blood cancer patients and their caregivers.
At the Light The Night Walk in Calgary, Matt and his team will join thousands of others to walk along the designated route while holding illuminated lanterns at sundown. The event is family-friendly and includes a fireworks display.
To start a team or to learn more, please call 403-263-5300 or visit www.lightthenight.ca.
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 11 official Canadian 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.
Prairie Region, NWT & Nunavut Office:
#316, 1212 31 Ave NE
Calgary, AB T2E 7S8
National Office:
804-2 Lansing Square
Toronto, ON M2J 4P8
Charitable Registration#: 10762 3654 RR0001
Follow the hash tag for updates: #LightTheNight #SomedayisToday
Light The Night Walk fact sheet
SOURCE The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada
Image with caption: "Thousands expected at Eau Claire Market to carry illuminated red, white and yellow lanterns in support, honour, and memory of loved ones affected by blood cancers during 12th annual Light The Night Walk on October 15, 2016 (CNW Group/The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20161011_C1726_PHOTO_EN_791469.jpg
please contact: [email protected], 403-263-5300
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