Light the Night: Walk for a Cure, Help Blood Cancer Victims in Wilson Farm Park

Then you should come out to Wilson Farm Park this weekend and participate in the Light the Night Walk.

According to the organization's disease information page, an estimated 35,070 new cases of leukemia will be diagnosed in the United States this year and males are expected to account for more than 57 percent of the cases. Hispanic children of all races under the age of 20 have the highest rates of leukemia. Also, this year about 66,674 Americans will be diagnosed with lymphoma. In the United States, non-Hodgkin lymphoma is the sixth most common cancer among males and the fifth most common among females.

Even if you aren't familiar with these diseases or know anyone who has them, this is still a great cause to support. Blood cancer can affect people of all ages and the victims can use your help. You can volunteer to help set up tables, hand out t-shirts, and assist with walker registration. You can also lend your support by participating in the walk and letting others know about your donation website, created for each registered walker by The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. You can check mine out here: http://www.active.com/donate/ltnPhilad/1982_smccavleyLTN

During the Light the Night walk, many walkers carry illuminated balloons. There are white balloons for survivors and red for supporters. Funds raised by participants support the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's mission: to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.

Anyone is allowed to participate in the walk-children, adults and seniors are all welcome. The walk is causal and is not a race, so you don't need to worry about being in great shape. I encourage walkers to bring friends and family. The walk is a good place to spend some time together, talking, exercising, and supporting an important cause.

The organization also offers incentive prizes for those people raising large amounts of money. You can earn a t-shirt for raising a mere $100 and a sweatshirt for $200. Some of the other things you can earn are:

$300- Personal CD Player
$2500- iPod Nano or personal DVD player
$10,000- Desktop computer or a Flat Screen TV

Even if you don't live in Chester County, Pennsylvania, that doesn't mean you shouldn't or can not pledge your support. You can donate funds on personal donation pages, like mine listed above. You can also check the society's website to find a walk site in your area.