{We’re honored to partner with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to bring you this sponsored post. Please read on for more information on how you can be involved and help us all fight cancer together.}
This summer, social media was taken by storm when the ALS Ice Bucket challenge went viral through various outlets. Without a doubt, the visibility of this devastating disease and the organization behind the cause was brought to the forefront of our minds and daily dialogue. While my Facebook feed was full of these videos, I also found that people were calling out their own charities of choice. For my house, we are passionate about cancer – from improving treatments to finding a cure.
I just said that my family is passionate about cancer…what I really mean, in all honesty, is that we hate cancer. I think that it’s safe to say that we all hate cancer. I especially hate that it does not discriminate and at times it inflicts the young and the so-called “good people”. We lost my father-in-law 5 years ago at the age of 57 to cancer of the esophagus. And then just this past year, his younger sister Lisa died at 52 after a tough and courageous battle with a form of Leukemia called AML.
It’s hard to put in words how losing loved ones to cancer at too early of an age feels and continues to impact our family. Grief is a strange thing. No two people will likely experience it in the same way. I’ve watched grief tempt my husband to have a hardened heart and try to steal his faith in the future. Somehow during this 5 year journey we have found a way to let hope enter our hearts once again.
When I hear of someone that is going through cancer treatment, I choose hope. Even though my personal experience with cancer sucked, I choose hope. I choose hope because, to me, cancer patients are like rock stars – or better than rock stars, they are warriors. I can only assume how scary it is to bravely battle this disease. Not knowing how treatments will affect your body or if they will work the way the doctors intend. And then I think of the youngest of cancer patients and their families…they are beyond amazing to me. Did you know that Leukemia is the most common cancer in children and adolescents less than 20 years old? While extraordinary progress has been made in blood cancer treatments, the journey back to a healthy life can be a long one.
So, in an effort to continue my outlook of hope, I have decided to participate in the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Light the Night Walk. I would love for you to join me as we choose hope together and shine a light on finding cures and treatments for blood cancer patients. This night is intended to pay tribute and bring hope to thousands of people battling blood cancers and to commemorate loved ones lost. The Twin Cities will come together at Target Field on Sunday, September 28th at 4:00 p.m. Twin Cities Moms Blog is forming a team for Light The Night Walk and we hope you’ll join us.
By joining our team and raising funds for this important cause, you’ll be making a real impact on the fight against cancer. Walk night is a family-oriented evening in which participants carry illuminated balloons, raise awareness of blood cancers and come together as a caring community.
I will be bringing my 5 year old boys as a platform for talking about their grandfather Papa Sal, their great aunt Lisa, and all of the brave young cancer patients and their families. Set aside some time with me to increase your family’s awareness of blood cancer, fundraise, honor survivors, and light the night:
Join us here
Every walker who raises $100 or more* will be a Champion For Cures and will be recognized on Walk night with:
-
A Light The Night t-shirt.
-
An illuminated Light The Night balloon in red (supporters), white (survivors) or gold (in memory of a loved one)
-
A wristband which entitles the wearer to an array of food and refreshments.
* Patients and survivors will receive these items regardless of fundraising levels.
We all know someone who has been affected by cancer. Please join the team and “walk the talk.”
