The Light The Night Walk is The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society‘s nationwide walk to raise awareness and funds to cure leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.
My wife and I are participating in the Walk in honor of my father-in-law, who lost a valiant struggle with acute leukemia. Douglas P. Lawless was diagnosed with lymphoma almost 16 years ago. At that time, he was told to get his affairs in order and prepare for the worst. However, he was a fighter and under the treatment advice of an expert, he remained healthy and vibrant for another 15 years. During that time, he was able to see his kids get married, hold and watch his three grandchildren grow and, most importantly, spend time and take many trips with his wonderful wife. Mr. Lawless also played a role in helping to get buySAFE funded and launched.
In early 2005, we learned that Mr. Lawless had complications from the chemotherapy required to treat his lymphoma. Last summer, he underwent a stem cell transplant in Boston in an effort to combat these complications. The stem cell transplant was not successful. In the fall, we learned that the complications had morphed into Acute Myeloid Leukemia. There was nothing else the doctors could do and we returned home in October. Mr. Lawless passed away on March 4, 2006. He was 59.
Doug Lawless was a great father and husband, and there isn’t a day that goes by that we don’t miss him and think about him. It was his wish to increase funding for research so that others would not have to endure what he did. To honor his wishes, I am participating in The Light The Night Walk to raise awareness and funds to cure leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma.
Please join our Walk team or make a donation to support my participation in the Light The Night Walk. Details are below. Thank you in advance for your generous support. I sincerely appreciate it.
Join my Light The Night team
Anyone who wants to join my team for the Walk can do so online via this registration form.
Make a personal contribution
If you would simply like to make a donation in support of our Walk, or if you would like to more about why we are walking, you can visit my personal Light The Night homepage.
Walk Information
When: Saturday October 14th, 2006
Where: Freedom Plaza, Washington, D.C.
Who: Anyone who wants to fight cancer is invited to join. There is no particular level of fitness required. The walk is approximately 2.5 miles.
How: The organizers encourage every walker to beat the national average amount ($100) by setting their individual goal to at least $150. Minimum goals/ donations to walk are $25. My personal goal is $1,000.
Why: The need for cures is critical: Every five minutes, someone in this country is diagnosed with blood cancer. Every ten minutes, someone dies. Leukemia is the leading cause of cancer death among children and young adults under the age 20.
Fundraising Rewards: All participants raising $100 or more will receive an illuminated balloon and a T-shirt to wear during the Walk. Walkers raising $300, $500, $1,000, $2,500 or more can receive other exciting gifts. Visit www.lightthenight.org for more gift information.