Why We Walk...

We unite every year in the fall. In the evening.  Walking with illuminated balloons…red for family, friends and supporters…white for survivors.  We come from all over Rhode Island.  Some of us have no direct connection to the diseases we are trying to find a cure for, while for others…it is a personal and emotionally charged evening.  For everyone, no matter what the motivation, the mission is the same.

RI Walkers light candles in memory of loved ones at Light The Night's Remembrance Service.

This, in walkers’ and team captain’s own words…is why we walk…

“My son was diagnosed with leukemia in June 2003.  I received a great deal of information from The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and wanted to help raise money so other families could receive the same information and support.  It’s also a great way to show my son, who is now in remission, how to help others.”

• Julie (34, Newport  Walker)

“My nephew has recovered from Hodgkin’s disease.  We always walk for him and others we know who are survivors.”

• Kathy (58, Providence  Walker)

“As a Hodgkin’s disease survivor (6 years), I wanted to help others as the Society helped me when I was diagnosed.”

• Heather (41, Providence Team Captain)

“I walk in honor of my late sister Cathy and to find a cure for leukemia & lymphoma.”

• Carol (35, Newport Team Captain)

“(Honored Patient) Gavin is a family friend with leukemia and my dad had lymphoma.  I came back from my dad’s funeral (d.o.d. 9/24/05) to walk because he always followed through on what he started and I felt I owed that to the people who gave money.

• Nicole (34, Providence  Walker)

“My three year old niece Raquel is my inspiration.  She endures so much with so much spirit.  She’s beautiful!  She walked with us last year and had a blast.  Everyone loved her!”

• Joan (50, Westerly  Walker)

“Although eight months pregnant at the time of the walk, I was determined to walk in memory of my father who died in 2000 from lymphoma.”

• Matilda (43, Providence Team Captain)

“I have a fifteen year old niece who was diagnosed with leukemia when she was ten.   She is now in complete remission.  Thanks to everyone!”

• Lisa (43, Newport  Walker)

“It started as a family thing – walking in honor of a family member with AML, but grew to be much bigger and about supporting all those affected.  It feels great knowing you made a difference.”

• Sarah (24, Newport Team Captain)

“We wanted to honor and show support for my dad who has been so brave and strong in his battle against lymphoma!”

• Donna (42, Providence Team Captain)

“I had a brother-in-law pass away with the disease and I have another brother-in-law presently suffering with it!”

• Cheryl (50, Providence  Walker)

“I have always felt that Light The Night is a great event, but it has gotten personal now.  My mom has been diagnosed with lymphoma.”

• Zelia (43, Providence Team Captain)

“When I heard what it was for, I wanted to walk and help them raise money.”

• Nicole (11, Providence  Walker)

“My sister died of multiple myeloma, August 2004.  A cure for this horrible disease is my motivation.”

• Peggy (58, Providence  Walker)

“I knew this was for an outstanding cause.  It would give me a great feeling about what I have done and who I have helped.”

• Zachary (13, Providence  Walker)

“After observing (Light The Night) one evening, my wife and I decided we would do that someday.  Two years later, I developed cancer and it was a no brainer.  We started walking that year.”

• Rob (35, Providence Team Captain)

“The first time we walked was four months after my younger sister was diagnosed.  She was our captain.  Then since her passing it has been our hope that the money we raise can help somebody else have a future.”

• Pam (27, Providence Team Captain)

“I have had Hodgkin’s disease, and I am also on The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Board.”

• Diane (57, Providence Team Captain)

“I have walked in Light The Night a few times, and I think it is a powerful and positive experience.”

• Lauren (19, Providence  Walker)