LIGHT THE NIGHT WALK

We are so excited to have Plasma-Tec as an official sponsor for the Light The Night Walk. The walk is a fundraising event for support of research for blood cancers. 

All team members from
Plasma-Tec are encouraged to participate in the Grand Rapids area walk on:

Saturday, October 7, 2006
at Johnson Park - Grandville
5:30 pm to 8 pm.

Light the Night Walks are casual evening walks of 2-3 miles held each autumn as the grand finale to September’s National Leukemia & Lymphoma Awareness Month. Anyone can participate without any special training. All participants who fundraise prior to the walk will receive an illuminated balloon to carry. Cancer survivors are identified by a special white balloon, while all other balloons are red. Each site holds a Pre-Walk Celebration with snacks and beverages, musical entertainment and family-friendly activities. Clowns, dancers, jugglers, bagpipers, local mascots...you just never know who you’ll see at this year’s Light The Night Walk!

Did you know?  The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society has social programs to help families cope with a blood cancer diagnosis, mentoring programs and first rate education on the latest treatment options and clinical trials available for blood cancers. Funds raised also support "Back-to-School" programs/videos to assist children in their transition back to school after diagnosis; plus much needed financial aid for co-pays, mileage etc. 

Over 34% of funds raised are directed to research. $2.14 Million of that research is right here in Michigan. $40 million directed to research annually, which since 1949 has resulted in the first established Chemotherapy program, bone marrow transplantation, platelet pheresis technology, Gleevac for CML patients and much more.  Many of these therapies benefit multiple cancers.

Did you know?  All ages, races and genders are affected by blood cancers. Leukemia is the #1 disease killer of children; which is why many of the Honored Heroes for this walk are children.  Some of their stories are:
 
Andrew of Rockford is 7 years old and was diagnosed in 2004 with T-cell ALL.
Ali of Hamilton is 13 years old and was diagnosed in 2001 with ALL - she is on her second round of chemo after a brief remission in 2004. 
Madi of Muskegon is 13 years old also with ALL
Collin of Holland is 5 years old with ALL and is still receiving chemo until next year.
Ted is 5 years old with ALL was diagnosed last August and will receive treatment until 2008. 
 
As with any cancer, due to the great research over the past two decades, we are winning more than we are losing.  However, each loss is personal. Blood cancers STILL represent the 2nd deadliest cancer in Michigan (second only to lung cancer).  Please join us this year...and help us stamp out blood cancers!

Thank you for your support and contributions to help fight blood cancers and commemorating those lives touched by
cancer! Learn more by clicking the logos above.