York Town News
Help fight leukemia and lymphoma with York's Light the Night walk
By Jennifer L. Saunders
YORK BEACH - It is hard to find anyone whose life has not been touched by cancer, either transformed through the process of battling the disease personally, through the loss of a loved one or by the inspiration of stories of survival.This weekend, area residents have a chance to give of themselves to help in the fight against such forms of the disease as leukemia and lymphoma.
And, if the past is any indicator, then this community's part of the nationwide Light the Night Walk on Saturday, Sept. 30, will be a resounding success.
Light the Night in York Beach has been a feature of the early autumn in York for years, with teams and individuals coming from across the Seacoast to walk in honor or in memory of loved ones, all the while helping to raise funds for research and awareness as part of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's nationwide evening event.
Each year, York Beach is lit at dusk as walkers depart from the York Beach Ball Field, many carrying illuminated balloons color coded with their meaning. Survivors carry white balloons, supporters carry red ones.
Organizers are quick to point out that this is not a strenuous walk or competitive race. This is an event for the entire family - for individuals of all ages - from children on up through seniors. And, there are incentives at all fundraising levels in an effort to raise both research money and awareness of these diseases.
The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's stated mission is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma as well as to improve the quality of life for patients and their families.
York's walk is held as part of the Massachusetts Chapter events, as the Massachusetts Chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society serves Maine and New Hampshire as well as the Bay State.
In addition to York's event, the Massachusetts Chapter will host Light the Night Walks in five other communities in Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire in September and October.
"Thank you to the hundreds of families, friends and corporations that joined us at the 2005 Light the Night Walk. Your dedication and hard work helped us to raise much needed funds for blood cancer research," Robyn Barros, campaign manager for the walk, noted in an announcement of this weekend's events.
And last year's top fundraisers in York included individuals and teams. The individuals were Casey Leighton, York's own "Captain Chemo" - also known as Don Clark - and Jeff Clifford. Top fundraising teams in York included Team Downs, Marshwood Junior High School and Betty's Boops, which featured many of the town's own staff members.
The walk will begin at the ball field and proceed through York Beach, along the ocean and past the Nubble Lighthouse, ending back at Ellis Short Sands Park. The Walk will be held rain or shine, with registration beginning at 4:30 p.m. and the walk to depart at 6:30 p.m.
For more on this year's Light the Night walk, contact Campaign Manager Robyn Barros at (800) 688-6572, ext. 32 or via e-mail at barrosr@lls.org.
