As a cancer survivor, Lisa Coleman wanted to show her support for others who’ve had the disease.
On Thursday, she was one of several cancer survivors to take part in the “Light the Night” event for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society at the Evans Towne Center Park.
“It means a lot to the community because what people don’t understand is that the research that is done for blood cancers it helps all cancers and the more you support this particular organization, you are supporting all the organizations that are raising funds for cancer and cancer research,” she said.
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Light The Night is a series of fundraising campaigns benefiting The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s funding of research to find blood cancer cures. Many blood cancer survivors, friends, families, schools, cooperate teams and sponsors bring light to the darkness of cancer by lighting up lanterns and going for an inspirational evening community walk at the event.
“It’s our major community event where we invite blood cancer survivors and their families to come out and celebrate our survivors, remember those that we’ve lost and just let them know their community is rallying around them,” said Allison Robinson, Campaign Development Director for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Light the Night. “It’s a really powerful night, and it means so much to just visually have this event so people can see the community that is standing by them.”
Light the Night is not only an annual event in the CSRA, but the third largest fundraising walk in the entire nation.
According to Robinson, around a total of $72 million dollars will be raised nationally for the Light the Night event this year. The CSRA will raise around $225,000. Funds raised go towards the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s mission in finding cures for blood cancer and help support blood cancer patient and their families.
Robinson said the this is the first in-person Light The Night event for the CSRA since 2019.
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Jameka Gardener and friends came to the event in support of her mother, who is a three-year cancer survivor from multiple myeloma.
“It’s heart-wrenching. It is definitely heart touching to everybody — the survivors and the little kids and just in remembrance with the lanterns that specify with different colors,” Gardener said.
At the event, gold lanterns are carried by those walking in memory of loved ones lost to cancer. The white lanterns are for survivors and some who are currently still battling blood cancer. The red lanterns are for all of the supporters at the event.
A virtual event is scheduled for Tuesday, November 15.
Chris Rickerson is a staff reporter covering Columbia County government and general assignment topics for The Augusta Press. Reach him at chris@theaugustapress.com.
