Walk to support Leukaemia patients held in Canada

The society, a charitable trust that works and supports leukaemia and lymphoma afflicted patients in the country, organises the light the night walks every year in different parts of the country to raise awareness and bring in support to the people and the families affected by it.

The participants in Toronto walked a 3km designated route originating from the Nathan Phillips Square, holding lanterns in three different colours- red, golden and white, to bring help and hope to more than 100,000 Canadians affected by blood cancer.

The red lantern depicted support, white was for a survivor while the golden was in memory of a loved one who passed away because of the virulent disease.

Along with thousands of participants, Mark Barrenechea of OpenText, and Ted Moroz of the Beer Store also walked down the streets to aid their support for the cause.

Mississauga based Reno and Pearl Silva were one of the honoured attendees of the night. In December 2012, the parents of the three learned that their eldest son, Tristen, was suffering from acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

Soon after his diagnosis, the then 4-year-old Tristen, had to forego all his associations starting from school to extra-curricular activities, to begin his treatment at the hospital.

After his first release from the hospital, Tristen developed a life threatening infection and had to go through a harrowing time of his life.  However, despite all Tristen remained positive with life and kept smiling all throughout.

Reno, mother of Tristen says, “"We have been buoyed by prayers and support from our friends, family & strangers who find ways to touch our hearts".

Together with Tristen, the family, their friends and others raised nearly $4,000 so far for the Light The Night Walk in Toronto.

"We walk in Light The Night together for all of those we have come to know on our journey, as well as, those friends whom we have lost,” Reno adds.

Light the Night walks extend an opportunity for groups of friends, families and colleagues to form teams and raise funds for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada to honour those loved ones who are affected by the disease as well as in the memory of those who have lost their lives.

Last year, in 2015, over 35,000 Canadians raised a whopping $5.4 million to help in the funding of world class researchers in Canada to improve treatments or look out for better cures involved in the different types of blood cancer.

All the more, the money raised also helps in providing free support and care information and services to patients afflicted with blood cancer and their care givers.

In 2015, over 35,000 Canadians raised $5.4 million to help fund world-class researchers working on the most promising projects in Canada to improve treatments or find cures for the various forms of blood cancers. In addition, monies raised make it possible to provide free information and support services to blood cancer patients and their caregivers.

The family friendly event had some lip-smacking food as well as some kids’ activities at the Nathan Phillips Square where the registration, introduction, remembrance ceremonies as well as the main stage programs took place.

(Reporting by Debarati Mukherjee)

Pic: Debarati Mukherjee

YouTube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAYFKtK8364