One of the yearly fundraisers that the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) promotes across the country every year is Light the Night. The events are held in many cities in the US to raise awareness and money for blood cancers. These events are important because there is still a lot of research to be done as there is neither a medical cure nor prevention measures for many blood cancers currently.
Before the events start, there are many tents set up where you register, receive a lantern, visit with drug companies/pharmacies/hospitals who sponsor the event, and places to gather for different teams as well as photo opportunities.
Each person attending receives a lantern depending on if you are a survivor(white), in memory of loved one(yellow) or supporter (red). The lanterns are used during the walk to light up the night as the events begin after dark.
Before the walk started last fall, the local LLS chapter shared stories on stage of patients who survived and who are no longer physically with us today. These stories are very emotional as these diseases can happen to any of us. No one is exempt as cancer is truly unfair without discrimination.
After the stories, all of the survivors were called up front for the lighting of the survivor lanterns. I remember thinking “I have to do this.” I am normally a person who likes to just watch from the back but felt led to go forward in this moment. Once the the participating survivors were in place, we were instructed to light our lanterns. I suddenly realized that this moment was special as not many get the chance to survive and others were at home still fighting without the ability to attend.
The events in Houston are in the fall with the downtown Houston event scheduled at the end of October. If this is something you would like to be part of in 2023, please let me know as I would love to have you join me.
As we are now at the beginning of 2023, what are ways you plan to shine your light in areas of importance to you?
“Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good deeds and moral excellence and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16
I would love to join you!
Thanks again.