The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada hosts 4th annual Light The Night Walk in Winnipeg
CALGARY, Sept. 27, 2016 /CNW/ - On Saturday, October 1, hundreds of participants will gather at The Forks to take part in The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada's 4th annual Light The Night Walk in Winnipeg. At twilight, participants will walk in solidarity along a designated 5 Km route to bring help and hope to the more than 100,000 Canadians affected by a blood cancer.
Canadians like Winnipeg resident, Melinda Salfert, will be among those in attendance. The mother of two fought cancer not once, but twice in just two years. It began in February of 2013 when she became very ill and learned she had an aggressive form of blood cancer, acute myeloid leukemia. The course of treatment seemed to take effect and by October, she was back at work. During a routine blood test in February of 2015, she was given the news that the cancer was back and this time, a stem cell transplant was in order. A few months later, she successfully received her brother's bone marrow stem cells. Today, she's a survivor.
"I am so touched to be Winnipeg's 2016 Light The Night Honored Hero," explains Salfert, captain of Team Melinda that's looking to raise $5,000. "My story isn't unique as there are many survivors who share the same journey, but I hope that in sharing my story and bringing awareness of what I went through as an AML patient and survivor, others will know that there is hope and cures are possible today."
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 Winnipeg, members of Team Melinda will join hundreds of others to walk along the designated route while holding illuminated lanterns at sundown. The event is family-friendly and includes free entertainment including activities for kids.
To start a team or to learn more, please call 204-291-3642 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
Courtney Maddock, [email protected], 204-291-3642
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