A Night To Honor, Remember, And Support The Fight – Light The Night CSRA 2023

Last night at Evans Towne Center Park, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) hosted their annual Light The Night CSRA.  This is a night to honor, remember, and support those who have or are fighting any type of blood cancer.

I have been to this event once before.  It was a few years ago, and I was asked to emcee.  Honestly, I didn't know a lot about what LLS did.  But this event definitely shows what an impact this organization has.  The funds they raise throughout the year help fund research, advocacy, and helps support those fight the battle and their families.

The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is the world's largest voluntary(nonprofit) health organization that is dedicated to funding blood cancer research and providing education and patient services. LLS was formed after a family lost their son to leukemia back in 1944. The family started the Robert Roesler de Villiers Foundation to fundraise and educate others to honor their son who was only 16 when he lost his fight.

The foundation grew through the years. By the 1960s, it was renamed The Leukemia Society of America.

In the early years, a leukemia diagnosis was fatal, with many dying within 3 months. Even after the first-generation chemotherapy drugs were developed, the disease was unrelenting.  A 1955 report from the foundation stated the disease was 100% fatal.

Since 1949, the foundation has put in nearly $1.6 billion for research.  They work to find a cure for various blood cancers, while also making sure patients get access to lifesaving treatments. This organization helps provide hope in what once felt like a hopeless situation.

LLS has had a huge impact on so many lives, including many right here in Augusta

Last night's event kicked off with music, vendors, face painting, bounce houses, and more. So many local businesses and organizations help raise funds throughout the year and were on-site to celebrate.

Everyone who registered for the event was able to pick up their lantern to "light the night." There are three colors - white for survivors, gold for remembering someone you lost, and red for supporters.

WJBF News Channel 6's Barclay Bishop was the host for the event.  She shared about the amazing fundraising efforts here in the CSRA, and introduced some local families who have been impacted by blood cancer.  As each person was introduced, the different groups were asked to light their lanterns.

The most powerful moment is when the survivors were asked to light their white lanterns and go to the survivors circle.  They were then asked to raise their lanterns up high.  Such an emotional moment.  And a great representation of just how much LLS has done through the years.

After the ceremony, the walk kicked off.  It was a sea of white, gold, and red lanterns making their way around Evans Towne Center Park.

If you've never taken part in this event, I highly recommend it next year.  And if you're interested in learning more about LLS and how you can donate, click here.