TORONTO, Oct. 13, 2016 /CNW/ - On Wednesday, October 19, over six thousand participants will gather at Nathan Phillips Square to take part in The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada's 12th annual Light The Night Walk in Toronto. At twilight, participants will walk in solidarity along a designated 3 Km route to bring help and hope to the more than 100,000 Canadians affected by a blood cancer.
Canadians like Mississauga residents, Reno and Pearl Silva, will be among those in attendance. In December 2012, the parents of three learned that their eldest son, Tristen, had acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Soon after his diagnosis, the then 4-year-old was forced to stop attending school and all of his extracurricular activities in order to begin treatment. The treatment plan was an aggressive one and began around the holidays. After his first release from the hospital, he developed an infection that nearly cost him his life. All along this harrowing journey, Tristen remained positive and magically put a smile on all of those around him.
"We have been buoyed by prayers and support from our friends, family & strangers who find ways to touch our hearts," wrote the Silvas, members of Team Tristen that's raised nearly $4,000 so far for the Light The Night Walk in Toronto. "We walk in Light The Night together for all of those we have come to know on our journey, as well as, those friends whom we have lost."
Light The Night Walks are 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 Toronto, the Silvas will join thousands of others at Canada's largest Light The Night event alongside event co-chairs Mark Barrenechea of OpenText, and Ted Moroz of the Beer Store. The event is family-friendly and will feature some exciting food vendors onsite.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
5:00pm | Registration Opens
6:00pm | Remembrance Ceremony
6:30pm | Main Stage Program
7:00pm | Walk Starts
8:15pm | Closing Ceremony
To start a team or to learn more, please call 647-253-5532 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.
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: "Over 6,000 people expected at Nathan Phillips Square to take part in the 12th annual Light The Night Walk on October 19, 2016 – the largest Light The Night event in Canada – when participants walk and carry illuminated lanterns in support, honour and memory of loved ones affected by blood cancers. (CNW Group/The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20161013_C4994_PHOTO_EN_793605.jpg
Sandra Harris, Regional Director, Ontario Region, 647-253-5502, 416-902-5759 cell, [email protected]
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