Event lights the way forward

Every two hours one person in Australia will lose their life to blood cancer.

It’s a statistic the Leukaemia Foundation is trying to reduce, and has now called for community help in the fight against the disease.

The charity is encouraging Geraldton residents to back the Leukaemia Foundation’s Light the Night walk at Geraldton foreshore from 5.30pm this Saturday.

A major fundraising event for the charity, the foundation is trying to raise $2 million nationwide to support affected families and fund blood cancer research.

Geraldton resident and Mid West Friends of The Foundation co-ordinator Nikki Robb will host the event this year, inspired after losing her husband Glenn to the disease three years ago.

Mrs Robb, who encouraged Geraldton to help raise funds before the event, said she was able to appreciate the importance of the Leukaemia Foundation services provided to families affected by blood cancer.

“While Glenn was sick, he had to undergo treatment in Perth for nine months, so during that time we had to relocate to the city,” she said.

“The Leukaemia Foundation provided a free home away from home for the duration of the treatment, which helped us so much.”

During last year’s event, walkers each held a lantern signalling their reason for attending, which included gold to remember a loved one, white for their own blood cancer journey or blue for the support of others.

Across the country 19 flagship events will be hosted by the Leukaemia Foundation, while dozens of smaller walks will also take place in regional communities.

Leukaemia Foundation WA general manager Andrew York said blood cancer didn’t discriminate on where people lived, and claimed more lives than breast cancer and melanoma.

“Sadly, most of us know someone who’s been affected by blood cancer,” he said.

“It can develop in anyone, of any age, at any time.

“More than 60,000 Australians are living with blood cancers, including leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma and every day another 35 people are diagnosed.

“The Leukaemia Foundation helps families around Australia, through services such as emotional support through diagnosis, treatment and beyond.”

To join the Light the Night walk in Geraldton, visit www.lightthenight.org.au or call 1800 500 088.