By: Sarina Vasta
Posted In: News
Photo credit: Sarina Vasta
Light the Night is an annual walk to raise awareness for blood cancer
Balloons were flickering across the Wakehurst lawn, grey skies were overhead and the air was muggy and heavy, as were the hearts of those who stood around. As young children ran across the lawn, carrying their balloons and shouting to brothers, sisters and friends, Kevin Bowen, spoke about his own personal battle with blood cancer.
At the Light the Night Ceremony Saturday Oct 5, Bowen talked about his struggle and how doctors told him he only had months to live. Yet, 21 years later, he is standing tall and strong, discussing how there is hope and a promise that cancer can be beaten. “We gather tonight, to remember the loved ones who died,” Bowen said. “We honor those loved ones today. We remember them.” With 894,000 Americans diagnosed with a blood cancer, it’s hard not to have someone close to you that hasn’t been affected. Floating under the sky were three different colored balloons: red, white and gold. Each balloon was symbolic; red was support, gold in memory of those who died, and white to represent survivors. With such new advances and the increasing rate of survival from this disease, the numbers of gold balloons were few. However, they were still there, lighting up the night sky and allowing the spirits of the people they represent to live on. Gloria Hincapie, the Patient Services Manager for Light the Night walk, asked anyone who has lost someone to a blood cancer, to come up and put a flower in the vase she has set up on the table. Slowly, a few people mustered the courage to come up and say the name of their family, friend, or loved one. Tears ran down their faces as their families comforted them. Every year thousands are affected by blood cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma. Leukemia is cancer of the bone marrow and blood. Its cells develop faster than normal cells and eventually crowd them out. Approximately 146 people per day die from a blood cancer or at least six people every hour. The numbers are too high, and while advances in research are still progressing, people have found a way to cope with the struggle of having diseases such as leukemia and lymphoma. Funds from Light the Night provide everything from continued research, to family support groups, financial assistance for patient’s testing and medication. Families, friends, survivors, all gather for one night, one walk, in memory, in dedication, and in hope for a cure. Light the Night touched a number of lives offered a positive outlook on a devastating situation.
