Same Cause, New Experience

We are excited to extend a personal invitation to you and your family to join us at our 2017 North Texas Light The Night events.

This year we have enhanced our Walk events by incorporating captivating moments throughout the night including a powerful survivor ceremony, a peaceful and emotional remembrance pavilion and a grand finale firework show!

Survivors celebrate by carrying white lanterns and taking part in an inspiring survivor ceremony within the survivor circle while the white beam of hope reaches up to the sky illuminating the darkness.  

Supporters participate in the walk with their families and friends, in celebration of survivors and the strides we are making to find cures.  

Those we have lost are honored at the Remembrance Pavilion where family, friends, and co-workers can leave tributes to their loved ones. 

Please consider becoming involved by forming a Walk team or by simply attending the events.  When we walk, cancer runs. 

Mark your calendars for November 5th for our Fort Worth Walk and November 11th for our Dallas Walk. 

More details about Light The Night can be found at www.lightthenight.org/ntx. 

Cancer Prevention & Survival Courses: 4 Part Series

North Texas Executive Director Patricia R. Thomson, Ph.D. is hosting four free classes centered around how your diet can play a role in cancer prevention and survival.  You may have seen her lead a similar class at the North Texas Blood Cancer Conference & Expo last September.

Below is a list and description of each of the classes being held.  Each class will include a cooking demonstration and samples.  Classes are limited to 25 people per session and will be held at the Dallas Leukemia & Lymphoma Society office (8111 LBJ Fwy., Ste 425, Dallas, TX 75251).  You can register for the classes individually or sign up for all four!  Signing up for all four classes at once ensures that you will not be placed on a waiting list for later classes.

Introduction to How Foods Fight Cancer
Saturday, February 11th from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Certain diet patterns seem to have a major effect in helping people diagnosed with cancer live longer, healthier lives.  In this class, you will learn about the right food choices that can help reduce the risk of developing cancer as well as prevent a recurrence.
Register here.

Fueling Up On Low-Fat, High-Fiber Foods
Saturday, February 18th from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
The easiest way to be healthy is to build your meals from foods that are naturally low in fat and to use cooking methods that do not require added fats or oils.  In this class you will learn how to prepare delicious, low-fat dishes made from whole grains, legumes, vegetables, and fruits.
Register here.

Discovering Dairy and Meat Alternatives
Saturday, February 25th from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
In this class, you will explore a variety of vegetarian sources of protein, all of which are low in fat, high in fiber, and loaded with cancer-fighting nutrients.
Register here.

Cancer-Fighting Compounds and Healthy Weight Control
Saturday, March 11th from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Both antioxidants and the body's immune system are critically important in fighting cancer.  In this class, the instructor will discuss and demonstrate healthful dishes loaded with immune-boosting nutrients such as beta-carotene, lycopene, vitamin C, and zinc - helping you learn how to easily and naturally maintain a healthy weight and a cancer-fighting nutritional regime.
Register here.

These classes are sponsored by The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine.  If you have questions about the class, contact Patricia directly at Patricia.Thomson@lls.org

Light The Night By The Numbers

More than 8,000 people came together in Dallas and Fort Worth in October and November to celebrate and commemorate lives touched by blood cancer in North Texas. 

The Light The Night Walk is on its way to raising more than $1.41 million for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) thanks to the support of sponsors, teams, walkers, volunteers and more importantly, survivors! 

Here's a little breakdown of Light The Night by the numbers.

Number of Volunteers:

Dallas: 253

Fort Worth: 149

LLS Staff Members:

Dallas: 28

Fort Worth: 24

 

Lanterns:

3240  red 

1368  gold

360 white

T-shirts:

4835 Participant

420 Survivor

305 Volunteer

Batteries For The Lanterns:

9936

Number Of Tents:

Dallas: 44

Fort Worth: 25

Corporate Teams:

Dallas: 133

Fort Worth: 67

Friends and Family Teams

Dallas: 198

Fort Worth: 133

A huge THANK YOU to everyone involved with the Light The Night Walks this year. 

Light The Night Honored Hero: RJ Ross

In North Texas, we treasure our incredible Honored Heroes.  An Honored Hero is a person currently in treatment for a blood cancer or a survivor who supports The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) in a number of different ways.  Our Honored Heroes participate in events, speak on our behalf to raise awareness, fundraise, etc.  Most importantly, our Honored Heroes remind us of why we work so hard to find cures for blood cancers.

Today we are thrilled to introduce you to Reginald "RJ" Ross, the 2014 Dallas Light The Night Walk Honored Hero.   Read below to learn why we believe RJ makes the perfect Honored Hero.

Reginald "RJ" Ross was diagnosed with high risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) on March 9, 2013 after being seen for a nagging cough and night sweats. He had also been experiencing fevers and ear infections over a few months to which his parents and doctor thought were related to daycare exposure and cold and flu season. Being in the doctor's office every other week was becoming the norm. 

One Saturday morning, his mother felt a sudden urge to have him seen by his pediatrician instead of waiting until the following Monday. A pediatrician examined him that day and noticed his skin looked pale and that his liver felt distended and enlarged. The physician urged them to go to the emergency room immediately with congestive heart failure being a possible concern. The preliminary diagnosis came back and was a shock.  He was admitted to the ICU with a dangerously low hemoglobin count, began getting oxygen, blood transfusions, and started chemotherapy a couple days later. 

From that point on, RJ began his journey to get in front of his illness and keep it behind him for good. His first hospital stay was scary for him due to the strange faces and constant needle pricks, but with lots of prayer and family at his side, the experience became a bit more bearable each day. He responded to treatment immediately with no signs of leukemia in his blood the first week and little to no side effects from the drugs. After eight days between ICU and the oncology floors, RJ was released from the hospital and began to show an amazing amount of energy not seen in months. Three weeks later, his parents received the call that his bone marrow test results were back and he was in "complete remission" with absolutely no leukemia (0.00%) detectable in his blood or spinal fluid. This was a hallelujah moment and the news strengthened his family's faith even more. 

RJ's parents believe God's healing power and great care from doctors and nurses at Children's Hospital in Dallas have proved miraculous thus far. RJ has quickly become a favorite with all of the oncology staff. The showering of support from such a large magnitude of family, friends & even strangers world wide has kept his parents in great spirits. Their faith in God continues to get them through these life-altering times. 

RJ's parents describe him as strong, smart, energetic, and so full of life that his spirit is simply contagious - like his full personality has finally been set free. He loves singing, animals, toys, reading books, playing on his iPad, and soaking up sunshine whenever possible. Being in his presence and watching him overcome his circumstances has been inspiring to many. He still has many weeks & months of treatment ahead but with much prayer there is much power and this family is determined to tap into that power at all times.

Register today for the 2014 Light The Night Walk.

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