Welcome to Stephanie's Light the Night Walk 2009 Fundraising Page

I am extending a challenge to all of my family and friends for a minimum donation of $25 each to help me reach my goal, and I really need your help!

I've made my commitment to participate in the walk, and I've backed it up with a financial donation. Won't you join me?

This year's event will be September 26 and is again being held at Trustmark Park in Pearl, MS.

I will again be walking with my legal support professionals group (Tri-County LSPA) and personally walking to honor two of my aunts who were diagnosed with Lymphoma.

• Martha Gates (my mother's sister) was diagnosed in mid-2006 lost her short battle with Hodgkin's Lymphoma on December 23, 2006, at the age of 59.
• Martha Miller (my father's sister) was diagnosed in March 1997 and, after treatment, was in remission until December 2006. She took treatment in 2007 and is now, thankfully, in remission again. However, at this time she is doing "maintenance" treatments (four weekly infusions of Retuxan about every six months) for two years.

Here is some information on this organization and event:

Each year, in communities all across the United States and Canada, families, friends, neighbors and teams from local businesses and national companies come together for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS's) Light The Night Walk events to bring help and hope to people battling blood cancers.

Funds raised by walkers provide:

• Lifesaving blood cancer research
• Financial assistance to cover patient expenses for transportation, medication and testing
• Free educational materials and events for patients and their families
• Local programs such as Family Support Groups and First Connection, a peer-to-peer counseling program
• Comprehensive, personalized assistance through our Information Resource Center

Light The Night Walk events are evenings filled with inspiration. Carrying illuminated balloons - white for survivors, red for supporters and gold in memory of loved ones lost to cancer - thousands of walkers - men, women and children - form a community of caring, bringing light to the dark world of cancer.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) funds lifesaving research that has contributed to major advances in the treatment of blood cancers and treatments for other types of cancer, such as chemotherapy and stem cell transplants. These treatments have helped patients live better, longer lives. New targeted therapies that kill cancer cells without harming normal tissue are providing drugs and procedures that are improving quality of life.

• A donation of $25 provides patients and their loved ones with FREE booklets that contain up-to-date information on their disease and help them make informed decisions about their treatment options.
• A donation of $50 makes possible a Family Support group with a trained facilitator where comfort can be found and experiences can be shared among patients and family members.
• A donation of $100 helps supply laboratory researchers with supplies and materials critical to carrying out their search for cures.
• A donation of $1,000 makes possible one- on-one conversations with health care specialists who provide patients with information about their disease, treatment options, and helps prepare them with questions for their health care team.

Please make a donation to support my participation in the Light The Night Walk and help save lives. Be sure to check my web site frequently to see my progress, and thanks so much for your support!