(North Texas Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society ) Leukemia patient Jonni Blacker (lime green t-shirt) with family and friends in Plano, TX 2004
Light the Night Charity Walks
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AUGUST 24, 2005
By Terri Rimmer

By Terri Rimmer
Happy News Citizen Journalist
Six Walks are being coordinated by the North Texas chapter. The fall event will take place at the University of North Texas in Denton on September 25th, followed by a Walk in Wichita Falls at Midwestern State University on Sunday, October 2nd. Sundance Square will host Light The Night in Fort Worth on October 16th, and the North Texas chapter’s largest Walk will follow on October 22nd in Plano at The Shops at Willow Bend. Patrons may also choose to walk at Southern Methodist University in Dallas on October 23rd, or at Rose Rudman Trail in Tyler on October 27th.
Last year the North Texas Chapter raised $873,900 with the Light the Night Walk. Combined with all other events in 2004, the North Texas chapter brought in just over $6 million. This places the chapter in the top five, among 66 other chapters across the nation, including offices in Canada.
The National Cancer Institute has established a goal of eliminating cancer-related death and suffering by the year 2015. That’s why participation in Society events is so very important, according to Jason Vincik, Marketing Manager for the North Texas chapter.
“Light The Night is a nationwide evening Walk that celebrates and commemorates lives touched by cancer,” said Vincik. “In North Texas we are expecting approximately 12,000 total participants at six Walk sites, with Dallas, Plano and Fort Worth events attracting the most walkers.”
At 5 p.m. before every Walk, activities such as clowns performing, face painting, live music, food and family activities begin. Then ceremonies are held with the Society’s honored patients and cancer survivors. Every Walk begins with a moment of silence to honor those who have been affected by all types of cancer.
At 7 p.m. participants line up to walk and the event begins. The distance is two to three miles depending on the Walk site. Vincik said the Society tries to keep the walk to around two miles.
“Many families come out and participate in Light The Night. Every walk is wheelchair accessible and we encourage everyone to attend – children, senior citizens, all fitness levels,” said Vincik. “Light The Night is not a race, rather a casual evening event for the whole family.”
Vincik said last year the funds raised kept climbing for the North Texas chapter, which has been conducting the event for seven years.
“We were very close to raising a million dollars last year,” he said. “Our goal this year is to reach $1 million, setting a new North Texas chapter record. Light The Night is still a very young walk. To reach a million dollars in seven years is going to be a major accomplishment for us, and we’re hoping to reach that goal.”
Vincik said all of the patient survivors of any type of cancer are recognized at the Walk.
“Everyone who has been battling any type of cancer will carry a white, illuminated balloon at the event,” he said. “All supporters will carry red, illuminated balloons. Because it’s an evening walk it’s actually quite breathtaking to see all the balloons lighting up the sky. Looking out and seeing a sea of white balloons - you know who you’re walking for. It’s a very unique experience.”
The Society’s mission is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease, and myeloma and to improve the quality of life of patients and their families.
For more information, access the North Texas Chapter’s Web site at www.lightthenight.org/ntx or call 800-800-6702.
This story was produced by a Happynews Citizen Journalist.
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