Thousands expected at Nathan Phillips Square to honour Canadians affected by a blood cancer.
TORONTO, Oct. 12, 2017 /CNW/ - On Thursday, October 19, 2017 over 8,000 people will gather at Nathan Phillips Square to take part in The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada's 13th annual Light The Night Walk in Toronto. At twilight, participants will walk in solidarity along a designated 3km route to bring help and hope to the more than 138,000 Canadians affected by a blood cancer.
Mark Barrenechea, CEO & CTO of OpenText and a survivor of acute myeloid leukemia will be among those in attendance.
"The Light the Night Walks across Canada are an opportunity for everyone to support those affected with blood cancers. By raising awareness, and money, all those involved will be playing a part in supporting life-saving research and frontline patient support," said Barrenechea, Chair of the Toronto Light the Night event and fundraiser. "I'd like to appeal to all Canadians to walk with us on the 19th or make a donation to a walker in your community. Your support is invaluable in the on-going fight against blood cancers, a fight we can, and will, win."
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 2016, over 35,000 Canadians took part in Light The Night and 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. To date, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada together with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in the U.S. have committed over $1 billion to research, paving the way for scientific advances and breakthrough treatments like Gleevec, bone marrow/stem cell transplantation and CAR-T immunotherapy.
At Light The Night Walk in Toronto, thousands of participants, patients, volunteers and supporters will walk along a designated route while holding illuminated lanterns at sundown. The event is family-friendly and will feature exciting entertainment, food vendors and children's activities. To start a team or learn more, please call 647-253-5542 or visit lightthenight.ca.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Thursday, October 19
5:00pm | Registration Opens & Onstage Entertainment
5:00pm | *NEW* Remembrance Pavilion (open throughout the evening)
6:30pm | Opening Ceremony
7:00pm | Walk Starts
8:45pm | Closing Ceremony (approximately)
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.
Follow the hash tag for updates: #LightTheNight #endbloodcancers
To start a team or to learn more, please call 647-253-5542 or visit LightTheNight.ca
SOURCE The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada
For further information: Sandra Harris, Regional Director, Ontario Region, Phone: 647-253-5502, Cell: 416-902-5759, Sandra.harris@lls.org; National Office: 804-2 Lansing Square, Toronto, ON M2J 4P8, Charitable Registration#: 10762 3654 RR0001
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