The fifth annual “Light the Night” walk will take place at StonyBrookUniversityon Friday, October 3rd.’ The event, sponsored by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, is one of 200 such walks which are being organized nationwide commemorating those who have been affected by cancer.’ ‘
Participants will walk to honor those afflicted by cancer, and to raise money for patient services and research for a cure.’ Symbolically, participants will carry illuminated balloons, colored white for cancer survivors and red for friends, family and loved ones, creating a mesmerizing sight and strengthening bonds among the community.
Locally, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Long Island Chapter is also hosting walks on September 19th at the Old Bethpage Village Restoration and on October 2nd atHofstraUniversity.’ The walk at Stony Brook will begin in the SAC at7 p.m.on Friday, October 3rd, and will also feature entertainment from local magicians, costumed characters, and face-painters.’ Applebee’s will be providing food for all participants before the walk, and Krispy Kreme will serve donuts to walkers after the event.’ In addition, local radio stations WBAB and WBLI will be on hand at all events.
Community involvement in the event has grown tremendously this year, as individuals, families, organizations and corporations have joined forces to form walk teams, volunteer and raise funds.’ All proceeds from the event will go to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s efforts to cure leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma, and to improve the lives of patients and their families.’
Stony Brook students are also showing a keen interest in volunteering for the event.’ The Sigma Beta Honor Society has organized a team of volunteers to assist with set-up, registration, prize distribution, clean-up and other aspects of organizing the event.’ The efforts of Sigma Beta members, as well as members of the community, have not gone unnoticed:
“Light The Night is a unique opportunity for theLong Islandcommunity to come together for an evening of celebration and remembrance,” says Kerri Kaplan, Long Island Chapter Executive Director of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. “While we honor the memory and courage of those affected by blood-related cancers, we must also celebrate the powerful strides we have made towards finding a cure. Light The Night is a time to commemorate those who have been lost and recognize survivors by renewing our commitment to fight these diseases.”
More than 640,000 Americans are currently suffer from blood-related cancer.’ Another person is diagnosed with blood-related cancer every five minutes; someone dies as a result of blood-related cancer every nine minutes.’ Research has made a profound difference, however.’ Only 4% of children with the most common form of leukemia survived in 1960, today that figure is 81%.
For additional information on the event, contact the New York City Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society at 212-448-9206, or visit www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/nyc.
