The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada hosts 7th annual Light The Night Walk in Saskatoon
CALGARY, Sept. 27, 2016 /CNW/ - On Saturday, October 1, hundreds of participants will gather at Kiwanis Memorial Park to take part in The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada's 7th annual Light The Night Walk in Saskatoon. 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 Saskatoon resident, MacKenzie Firus, will be among those in attendance. In October of 2012, the then 23-year-old teacher-in-training noticed a lump behind her ear. In the months that passed, her lump grew and other symptoms appeared, which prompted a number of visits to the hospital and specialists. Results remained inconclusive until a biopsy confirmed the worst-case scenario: cancer, Hodgkin's lymphoma to be precise. Rounds of chemotherapy and radiation followed and despite many difficult challenges during that time, she survived.
"There were days when I was very positive and days when I almost gave up hope," explains MacKenzie, a member of team Fireflies that's looking to raise $5,000. "Since my cancer diagnosis, I accepted a permanent teaching contract, bought a house, and got married. My cancer story ends happily, let's help all patients have the same ending!"
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 Saskatoon, members of team Fireflies 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 for the whole family, as well as complimentary food and beverages.
To start a team or to learn more, please call 306-241-0226 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: "Hundreds expected to walk and carry illuminated lanterns at Kiwanis Memorial Park in support of Canadians affected by blood cancers during the annual Light The Night Walk. (CNW Group/The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160927_C6225_PHOTO_EN_782287.jpg
Tammy Vallee, 306-241-0226, [email protected]
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