MONTREAL, Oct. 11, 2016 /CNW/ - On Saturday, October 15, over five thousand participants will gather at Parc Jean-Drapeau to take part in The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada's 11th annual Light The Night Walk in Montreal. At twilight, participants will walk in solidarity along a designated 5 Km route to bring hope to the more than 110,000 Canadians affected by a blood cancer. In Quebec, over 4,400 people will be diagnosed with a blood cancer each year.
Canadians like Saint Hubert resident, Sarah, will be among those in attendance. In July 2014, the then 23-year-old learned that she had stage 3 Hodgkin's lymphoma. The news hit the bright-eyed young adult hard, especially as she realized the difficult challenges ahead. Chemotherapy was grueling – causing nausea, hair loss, burning sensation along her veins and lung damage. The experience was in fact life-changing because in the end, the treatment worked. Today, at 25, Sarah leads her life with a hopeful lens.
"Despite the fact that this entire process was extremely difficult, there is a silver lining to my journey. I've had people connect with me because they understood my struggles and others who wanted my advice and support as well," explains Sarah, captain of her Light The Night team that's raised over $4,000 so far this year. "I was blessed with new people in my life."
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 Quebec, over $1.2 million is committed to 9 research projects based in six institutions during the current fiscal year. 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 Montreal, Sarah and her team will join thousands of others to walk along the scenic route while holding illuminated lanterns at sundown. The event is family-friendly and includes a Kids Zone and Participants' corner, as well as, complimentary food and beverages.
To start a team or to learn more, please call 514-875-1000 ext. 1015 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.
Regional Office:
740, rue St-Maurice, bureau 602
Montréal, QC
H3C 1L5
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 five thousand people expected to gather at Parc Jean Drapeau to walk and carry lanterns in support, honour, and memory of loved ones affected by blood cancers during the annual Light The Night Walk on October 15, 2016 (CNW Group/The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20161011_C3098_PHOTO_EN_791461.jpg
please contact: Cristina Cinquanta at [email protected]
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