The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Light the Night Walk will take place in Long Branch on Oct. 21 to raise funds for research into blood cancers and to support patients who are battling the disease.
The society’s mission is to “cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and to improve the quality of life of patients and their families.” The society seeks to ensure that patients will have access to treatments for all types of blood cancers.
In the past, Jim and Brenda Wishbow of Millstone Township have held an annual fundraiser at the Laurita Winery in Plumsted Township to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
The couple said this year they have decided to direct their efforts toward the Light the Night Walk.
The Wishbows will have a team called “Working for a Cure” after their daughter, Rebecca, was diagnosed with and underwent treatment for Acute Myeloid Leukemia at age 16.
Rebecca is now 10 years cancer-free and has gone on to become a nurse, but her family wants to continue the fight against the disease.
“We are paying it forward. If it had not been for those years of fundraising and research from organizations like LLS, she would not have had the treatments that were available to cure her,” Jim said.
During the Light the Night Walk, cancer survivors will carry white lanterns and supporters will carry red and gold lanterns. The red and gold lanterns will represent individuals who have been lost to cancer.
Light the Night Walk organizers said it is a very meaningful event to those who have experienced the disease and for the future of cancer research.
The Wishbows are seeking support from the community and are offering several ways to contribute:
- Joining the “Working for a Cure” team and helping to raise donations
- Attending the event on Oct. 21 in Long Branch
- Visiting the fundraising page and making a donation at http://pages.lightthenight.org/nj/LongBran17/WorkingforaCure
- Making a donation through the mail, with a check made payable to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and sent to the Wishbow residence at 199 Paint Island Spring Road, Millstone Township, NJ 08510.
For more information, visit the LLS website or contact Jim Wishbow via email at jpwishbow@gmail.com
