The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada hosts 5th annual Light The Night Walk in London, ON
LONDON, ON, Oct. 11, 2016 /CNW/ - On Saturday, October 15, thousands of participants will gather at Victoria Park to take part in The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada's 5th annual Light The Night Walk in London. 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 London, ON residents, Jason and Julie Wedlake, will be among those in attendance. In August 2015, the parents of two welcomed a third child, River, into the world. Just days after his arrival, doctors informed them that their infant son had an aggressive form of blood cancer, acute myeloid leukemia. At only 11 days old, River began the first of four rounds of chemotherapy treatment. In the months that followed, he endured unexplained fever, mouth sores that slowed his eating and pain. Despite the challenges of treatment, River responded well. He ate, slept and reached all of the milestones a baby his age should – rolling over, sucking his toes, cooing and singing to his parents' delight.
"Our little super hero, along with his brother and sister, are the light of our lives" wrote the Wedlakes, members of Team River that's raised over $5,500 so far for the Light The Night Walk. "We are grateful for his second chance at life and to everyone who helped make his miracle happen."
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 London, the Wedlakes will join thousands of others to walk along the designated route while holding illuminated lanterns at sundown. The event is family-friendly and will feature some exciting vendors onsite.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Saturday, October 15, 2016
5:00pm | Registration Opens
6:00pm | Remembrance Ceremony
6:30pm | Main Stage Program
7:00pm | Walk Starts
8:00pm | Closing Ceremony
To start a team or to learn more, please call London Campaign Manager, Katerina Frattas, at 519-204-3993 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
London Campaign Manager, Katerina Frattas, 519-204-3993, [email protected]
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