OTTAWA, Oct. 18, 2016 /CNW/ - On Saturday, October 22, over three thousand participants are expected to gather at Lansdowne Park to take part in The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada's 7th annual Light The Night Walk in Ottawa. At twilight, participants will walk along the Rideau Canal in solidarity along a designated 4km route to bring help and hope to the more than 100,000 Canadians affected by a blood cancer.
Ottawa resident, Jonny Parker, will be among those in attendance. In 2011, the teen suffered symptoms of a flu, which prompted a visit to the doctor. After some tests, he learned he had acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), a cancer that progresses quickly without treatment. Soon after his diagnosis, he began his first of many rounds of chemotherapy treatment. Over the next two and half years, he was in and out of the hospital for treatment including a bi-lateral hip replacement. He suffered many side effects. Despite the long and difficult journey, Jonny recovered and was declared cancer-free in October 2015.
"During my battle with cancer, I received so much support from family, friends and even strangers. Without them I don't think I would be standing here today." wrote Jonny whose part of a Light The Night team that has raised over $210,000 since 2011. "I walk because I want to give back. I hope we can make treatments better and make future patients battle's easier. We will have made a huge difference in the lives of so many people."
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 Ottawa, Jonny and his team will join thousands of others at Lansdowne Park to walk and carry illuminated lanterns to help end blood cancers. The event is family-friendly and will feature live entertainment, FREE light refreshments, and a night of hope, inspiration and fun for all ages.
To start a team or to learn more, please call 613-618-2939 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: "Thousands of participants expected to walk along Rideau Canal carrying illuminated lanterns to support the fight to end blood cancers during the 7th annual Light The Night Walk in Ottawa on October 22. (CNW Group/The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20161018_C2110_PHOTO_EN_797694.jpg
Suzanne Landis, Campaign Manager, 613-618-2939, [email protected]
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