LIMESTONE Coast residents will carry lanterns to light the night this October to raise money for the Leukaemia Foundation and reflect on the devastating impact of blood cancer.
Now in its tenth year, the Leukaemia Foundation’s Light the Night brings Australia’s blood cancer community together with friends and family in more than 140 locations to remember and reflect during a moving ceremony and short lantern walk.
Last year, more than 35,000 people from every Australian state and territory attended Light the Night events from September to November.
Mount Gambier’s Light the Night event will be held on October 6 at the Cave Gardens.
Event organiser Josephine Patzel encouraged locals to register now and start fundraising to support locals living with blood cancer.
“The Bridgestone Australia Leukaemia Foundation Village is often a home away from home for local blood cancer patients and their families forced to relocate to the city for treatment,” Ms Patzel said.
“I can totally see where all the generous funding is distributed – the village is incredible and rural patients stay there for free.”
As a breast cancer survivor, Ms Patzel said fund raising for the foundation was a cause close to her heart.
“I know that without funding it is not possible to have available the best possible treatment for survival and research to find a cure,” she said.
“This is why I volunteer to do my part.”
Leukaemia Foundation state general manager Simon Matthias said participating in Light the Night was an opportunity to light the way for those diagnosed with blood cancer.
“Every day another 35 Australians are told they have blood cancer, immediately plunging them and their families into a world of gruelling medical treatments, fear and uncertainty,” Mr Matthias said.
“They may not realise it but, in this darkest moment, they’re not alone.
“Every one of us who raises money and carries a lantern at Light the Night will help light the way for them – together we will be there to provide every Australian with the support and services they need to beat their blood cancer.”
Attendees will carry gold lanterns to remember loved ones lost to blood cancer or white lanterns if they’ve been diagnosed themselves, while blue lanterns are proudly raised by friends, family, workmates and the wider community.
Visit lightthenight.org.au for further information or to donate or register.
