Light The Night 2010

Last night, I was very honored to go to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Light the Night awards reception for 2009. Our team, Warriors 4 Alex earned over $3,000 last year, and we were recognized last night along with a number of other wonderful teams; all doing their part to help rid the world of blood cancer.

But not just blood cancer.

One of the most successful cancer drugs for Leukemia patients, was developed here in Oregon - with huge support from the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). That drug is now being studied for brain cancers, and rare stomach cancers. It makes what they are doing all that more important. Not only that, but LLS has funded research that has discovered a toe-nail fungus cream that obliterates some forms of cancer in lab mice! A toe-nail fungus cream, people!

The highlight of the reception was the speech made by the 14 year old boy who was the "honored hero" for the Light the Night Walk here in Oregon. He was articulate, he was gentle, and he was empathetic. He has been cancer-free for over 9 years. I cried as I listened to him talk about his journey, and how he continues to do the Light the Night Walk in honor of those who are still battling the disease, and those who have lost the fight. Through my tears my vision blurred and I saw Alex up there, at age 14 - MUCH taller than me, and healthy. It did my heart some good to think about it. His Mother spoke about his diagnosis, and treatment. While the details were different, the common thread was there, weaving through her story. The idea that it only takes a moment to bring us to our knees - to make our heart stop, and for the oxygen to leave the room.

I left the reception feeling good, and energized about what LLS is doing to help people like Alex - and knowing that I was helping with that mission by raising money.

If you would like to join our team, or donate money to our team, please click the HERE to go to our 2010 Light the Night Team page.