Walkers “Light the Night” For A Cure

THE WOODLANDS, Texas -- The 4th Annual Leukemia/Lymphoma Society Light the Night Walk in the Woodlands lit up Market Street in The Woodlands Town Center as more than 1000 walkers carrying large twinkling balloons, red, white or gold, gathered together for a single cause; to walk for a cure. Proceeds generated from the walk help fund research for blood cancers.

Organizers were thrilled at the end of the evening to announce that more than $235,000 had been raised with more donations expected to roll in for the next few weeks. The event has more than quadrupled over the last 4 years in number of participants and dollars raised.

The volunteer committee for The Woodlands Walk is made up of individuals whose lives have been touched by a form of blood cancer. Some are survivors and others have lost family members and/or close friends to the disease. Barry Blanton, the Walk Corporate Chair and a survivor relates, “I enjoy seeing money raised to fund research for a cure. I do not want my kids or grandkids to be told that they have a blood cancer that is treatable but not curable. Nobody should have to hear those words.” Every 5 minutes, someone in the United States learns that they have leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma, one of the many blood related cancers. That is nearly 300 people a day.

Light the Night Walk has a very personal meaning for Misty Moody, Leukemia/Lymphoma Society Staff Member who worked directly with The Woodlands walk committee. “The Light the Night event means giving back and supporting a cause that saved my life at the age of 8 years old. It’s a cause that is near and dear to my heart. I want to help save other lives.”

Light the Night Walk is a national fundraising campaign that commemorates and celebrates all lives touched by cancer. Company teams, civic groups, neighbors and friends raise funds strolling on an evening walk along a two-three mile route carrying twinkling balloons -- White balloons for survivors, Red balloons for supporters and Gold Balloons in memory of loved ones lost to cancer. Walkers carry dedication banners that provide an opportunity to display a name or message, honoring or commemorating a family member or friend with cancer. More than a walk, Light the Night is a community celebration with food, live entertainment and family activities – a community coming together to support people with cancer.

Local sponsors included House of Forgings, Sadler Clinic, The Oil & Gas Asset Clearinghouse, Tetra Technologies, Stibbs & Co., Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Cancer Center, Wells Fargo, The Blair Law Firm, Edward Jones Investments, Rexel Central Division, Smith Productions, Susan Turney Law Office, Rain Tree Glass and Shower Doors, Market Street and Trademark Properties. For more information on sponsor opportunities please call 713-680-8088.

Donations are still being accepted. If you would like to donate a gift and save a life or need more information please visit our website or call 877.LTN.WALK. Mark your Calendars! The date of 2009Light the Night Walk has not been confirmed but the walk is usually held on the last Sunday in October.

Leukemia, Lymphoma and Myeloma are cancers that originate in the bone marrow and lymphatic tissues.

• Every 5 minutes, someone in the United States learns that they have leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma – nearly 300 people a day.

• Leukemia and lymphomas are the leading fatal cancers in young women and men under 35 while leukemia remains the leading cause of death in children.

• An estimated 640,000 Americans are presently living with leukemia, lymphoma Hodgkin’s disease or myeloma.

• Every 9 minutes, another child or adult dies from a blood-related cancer. This statistic represents 165 people daily.

 

The mission of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is to cure Leukemia, Lymphoma, Hodgkin’s Disease and Myeloma and to improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Funds raised through the walk go towards finding a cure and supporting the mission of the society. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is one of the top rated voluntary health organizations and the leading