Lights of Hope Honored Heroes
Have an Honored Hero in mind? Simply email written information (250 words or less) and a photo to Brianna.Barker@lls.org today!
David Korn
 This is my second year walking in the Light The Night Walk. This year, I am proudly walking in memory of my husband, David Korn, who passed away on January 5, 2007 at the age of 44 after bravely battling non-Hodgkin's lymphoma for the last two years. We would have celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary in September. Walking in his honor and memory is my anniversary present to him.
I cannot believe that my husband, my best friend, is no longer here. He was such a vibrant, passionate young man with a zest for life and living it fully. He made me laugh until the point of uncontrollable hiccups; he skied moguls and black diamonds; he climbed bridges without fear; he scuba dove on our honeymoon in Australia; he bungy jumped on our honeymoon in New Zealand; he could build and fix anything; he was always reading and researching to teach himself about things he did not know and to refresh himself about things he did; he loved good beer and good wine with good friends; and he looked forward to screaming at the TV on Sunday mornings while watching his favorite political round table shows. He was simply an all-around great guy with a warm heart who was loved by so many.
My heart aches terribly when I think of how much my husband suffered. I am so grateful, though, that I was by his side for every treatment; every hospitalization; every doctor visit; every late-night sleep interruption, because I believe that my love, my hugs, my hand holding, my back scratching, my kisses, my silly jokes and my silly dances at TV commercial music gave him comfort and strength. And as sick as he might have been, my husband never let go of his positive attitude, giving me comfort and strength that cannot be put into words. Any day with my husband was a perfect day. I miss those perfect days.
As I once read in a newspaper column, "in sickness and in health" has never been more powerfully spoken than through each day of our short 9-year marriage. That is what is important. That is what lives in the heart and is remembered forever. We used to tell each other in quiet moments that we truly loved each other more than we did on the day we got married. At one time, I could not fathom such a notion, yet it is so clear to me now.
It is so hard without my best friend. Yet, although he is no longer here, I am, and I will use my time on this Earth to continue fighting for him and the countless others who are battling lymphoma and other blood cancers. Our mantra used to be that Korn Kisses Kill Kancer. I will never give up that war cry. I lovingly pass on my Korn Kisses to all those who are are putting up such a valiant fight so as to give them hope, encouragement and faith.
Tamar Bolt
 This is the Tamar Renee Bolt Memorial Fund Inc., third year walking in the Light The Night Walk. We are walking in memory of our daughter, Tamar Renee Bolt. Tamar was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma; her first reaction was shock and disbelief. Once the shock wore off she decided to turn her condition into something that would change her life and the lives of others for the better. She wanted to educate people about The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and the National Marrow Donor Program Registry.
The Tamar Renee Bolt Memorial Fund Inc. was established to educate people of color about the critical need for more ethnically diverse donors to register with the (NMDP) Registry. To offer all patients a chance of finding an unrelated bone marrow or blood stem cell donor match. Although Tamar passed away before she received her stem cell transplant, she understood the importance of educating people about the donation process and how we all can make a difference. www.tamarbolt.org
Tamar's life exemplified strength, courage and compassion, whose battles against non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma was fought like a soldier, warrior and champion. Tamar brought this disease to the forefront of her family and friends minds. She never lost her faith, grace or beauty. The only thing that Tamar wanted was her brother Michael to continue GradSchoolno matter what happens to her, and she made him promise that he would. He keeps his promise to his sister and graduated with masters in education, and is now a N.Y.C. High School History teacher. Like always she would be so proud of him.
Before Tamar passed away on November 5, 2004, she would often ask the question "Who will walk for us?" meaning who fights for the people with blood cancers like me. Tamar was unable to walk in the Light The Night Walk, so we formed team Walk for Tamar and on October 5, 2005, we walked for Tamar in the Light The Night Walk to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Please join us again this year for our third annual Walk for Tamar on October 4, 2007, at the South Street Seaport/Over the BrooklynBridge.
Robert G. Hynes, sr.
The man you see in this picture above is who we are walking in honor of, he is the Husband, father, and HERO of our team of walkers.
This is a man who when diagnosed with T-cell lymphoma (stage 4) in April of 2006, refused to let it get the best of him, he decided it wasn’t going to beat him……he was going to beat it!!
When the rest of us would get down and seem depressed, he was right there with one of his dry jokes or stories to pick us back up!!!
Although we did lose him in September of 2006, not a day goes by that we don’t think of that man and all of the wonderful things he did to make our lives so much better just for having known him. We miss him horribly!!!
It is for the reasons we have stated above plus so much more that we walk in honor of a GREAT MAN………Robert G. Hynes Sr.
His Loving Family,
Arleen – His wife Robert – His son
Jay – His son Michael - His son
Barbara – His daughter Cindy – His Daughter
Ronnie – His daughter Suzanne – His daughter
And so many more people and friends who came to know this wonderful man!!!!!!
Karen Elizabeth Rachoi and Jeraldine Claire Rachoi
 
In loving memory of Karen Elizabeth Rachoi and Jeraldine Claire Rachoi
“I need a reason for the way things have to be. I need a hand to help build up some kind of hope inside of me. I’m calling on Angels.”
Karen died of leukemia in 2004 at the age of 33. She was pregnant when she was diagnosed but the baby didn’t survive. Karen’s mom, Jerrie, who also had the same form of leukemia as Karen.
It breaks my heart to write that Jerrie passed away on May 25, 2007. She was 59 years old. This dreadful disease took the life of a daughter and her son and now her mother. I am so sad and so desperately trying to understand why things happen. The Rachoi family—Mr. Rachoi, (Jerrie’s husband and Karen’s dad) and Robby (Jerrie’s son and Karen’s brother) and his wife Annmarie—are kind and caring people. They have been through so much suffering these last seven years. I wish I could do something to ease their pain. All I can do is honor the memory of their daughter, their sister, their grandson, their nephew, their mother, their wife.
Jerrie walked in the 2005 “Light the Night” walk as a survivor. She was unable to join the walk last year due to her health. This year, our team name has changed to “For Our Dear Friends Karen and Jerrie.” The walk is on October 13 at Forest Park in Queens, N.Y. It is a way for all of us who miss Karen and Jerrie to get together and reminisce.
I am asking for your generous support and sponsorship once again. Large or small— it doesn’t matter— every donation helps.
Fran straus
Fran was a lady but not a shrinking violet. She possessed a gentle strength and an uncanny ability to accomplish what she wanted without ruffling feathers. And, of course always looking like she just stepped out of a fashion magazine.
Fran was kind and treated everyone with respect. And, as her closest friends can attest, she never had anything bad to say about anyone. And no one had a bad thing to say about Fran. How many of us can say that?
Fran was a loyal and caring friend even throughout her illness. She continually asked us about what was going on in our lives and wanted to hear both the good and the bad. In spite of her situation, she was still able to console us in our sadness and celebrate our happiness.
Fran loved life and lived it to the fullest. She took joy in everything she did, whether enjoying a yoghurt parfait from Europa, playing a marathon game of Rummy Cube, or purchasing her latest pair of Manohla’s from Saks -- she loved it all. And that joy was spread to all those around her.
Fran lived life on her own terms, she made her own choices and in the end she told me that she had no regrets.
The one word that most personifies Fran is Grace.
Grace has many meanings, among them elegance, refinement, charm, beauty and kindness. Fran embodied all these qualities particularly over the last two years.
So, although this is a sad time, we feel a deep sense of gratitude for having had the opportunity to share our lives with someone who, through her action, taught us how to live life with optimism, courage, dignity and above all grace.
Fran, we love you and you will always be in our hearts.
Aidan, Roberta and Stephanie
Matthew Scherer
We are walking for Matthew Scherer. This is our second year walking. Matthew was diagnosed with ALL in July 2006 exactly two months after his wedding. Luckily we found a bone marrow donor and he had a transplant in April. Unfortunately he was Philadelphia positive and he relapsed 60 days after the transplant. He lost his fight this past July at age 36. Matt was a husband, son, brother, grandchild, friend, and teacher/dean/grade advisor. He was also our hero. He possessed a gentle strength and an uncanny ability to know what people needed. Matt was kind and treated everyone with respect. And, as his closest friends can attest, he never had anything bad to say about anyone. And no one had a bad thing to say about him. How many of us can say that?
Matt tried to be strong throughout his illness, never once complaining.
As a teacher/dean, he was like a second father to his students. He cared about them and would try to help them. Many of them would not be where they are today if not for his caring. Matt knew each student by name and learned all he could about what makes them tick and what he could do to help.
Matthew loved life and tried to live it to the fullest although his time was too short. He loved his wife Nicole so very much. You could see how happy they were together. When she came to visit him in the hospital and he saw her, his smile would light up a room.
Matt lived life on his own terms. He made his own choices and in the end had no regrets. All he wanted was his life back to the way it was.
So, although this is a sad time, we feel a deep sense of gratitude for having had the opportunity to share our lives with someone who, through his actions, taught us how to live life with optimism, courage, and dignity.
Matt, we love you and you will always be in our hearts.
Nicole, Mom, Dad, Michelle, Grandpa and the rest of your family and extended family
Alexa Rae
Alexa is a strong, beautiful, 13 year-old girl who was diagnosed in August with Non-Hodgkin's T-Cell Lymphoma. She has been undergoing tests and chemo treatments since then. Alexa is on a two year weekly treatment program which includes both home out-patient and in-hospital stays. Alexa will be going back into the hospital during the week of Sept.17 to have her first round of high-dose chemo which is an in-patient treatment. No child should have to endure cancer and our hope is that one day all children like Alexa won't have to suffer. Please keep Alexa and her family in your prayers.
The Mighty Oak
A mighty wind blew night and day
It stole the oak tree's leaves away
Then snapped its boughs and pulled its bark
Until the oak was tired and stark
But still the oak tree held its ground
While other trees fell all around
The weary wind gave up and spoke.
How can you still be standing Oak?
The oak tree said, I know that you
Can break each branch of mine in two
Carry every leaf away
Shake my limbs, and make me sway
But I have roots stretched in the earth
Growing stronger since my birth
You'll never touch them, for you see
They are the deepest part of me
Until today, I wasn't sure
Of just how much I could endure
But now I've found, with thanks to you
I'm stronger than I ever knew
www.prayforalexarae.com
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