Light The Night Walk is The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's evening walk and fundraising event. It is the nation's night to pay tribute and bring hope to thousands of people battling blood cancers and to commemorate loved ones lost.

ABOUT LENA -

When Lena was 2 years old, she was a happy student at a small preschool in Durham. She liked to paint and dance. She and her best friend liked to hold hands, and delighted in being the two curly-headed girls in the class. Life was simple.

The next Halloween, she dressed up as a puppy dog. But she couldn't walk, so I carried her from house to house. At the time, I thought she was just tired, but when she felt the same the next morning, I took her to the emergency room at Duke. A week later, they found blue cells in a bone biopsy...cancer. A few days after that, we learned it was leukemia.

Lena has endured many procedures and tests. She has chemo weekly, and has periodic MRIs, CT scans, heart scans, x-rays, and neuro tests. She'll have chemo--harsh medicine that destroys her blood cells and, hopefully, the leukemia cells--for over 2 years, and then have checkups for the rest of her life. She's in pain a lot, and tired a lot, but she receives excellent care from the oncologists and nurses at Duke.

One of the first places we looked for information was LLS. And we found it. We also received a small amount of financial support from LLS, and the parent support group I attend is sponsored by LLS. We are blessed to live in a supportive community. Thank you!

For more on Lena's Story visit: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/lena

ABOUT THE LEUKEMIA & LYMPHOMA SOCIETY (LLS) -

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.

OTHER WAYS TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE TYLER'S TEAM:

• Visit the Tyler's in Durham to purchase a paper balloon. When you do you'll be placed in a drawing for Tylers T-shirts, Gift Certificates, and other prizes.
• Visit the Tyler's in Durham to leave a message for Lena on the Tyler's Team banner.
• Contribute on-line toward the goal of your favorite server, bartender, host, or manager. A list of participating employees is located on the right side of this page.

Thank you for helping us to support this very important cause.