I remember the day so clearly, when David and I found out that Joe went to the hospital for a couple of scans. Scans? Scans for what we thought!? We had just hung out with Joe and Sue a few days before that and the didn't mention anything. Biopsy? Biopsy for what?!

I remember so clearly Joe's laughter and smiles, even after he began the chemo treatments. We were hanging out regularly on the weekend days that he felt good. He made us feel like nothing much had changed, I think we made him feel that way too.

I remember so clearly Joe's words in his care page emails - the floods of responses that he would get. He was trying to be honest with all of us, and give US the encouraging words and hope.

I remember so clearly going to dinner with Joe & Sue, watching movies and feeling like nothing in the world would change the four of us.

I remember so clearly celebrating the word remision!! The life that had been in "pasue" could begin again. And the defeat that rang through my heart, with the words "it's back."

I remember so clearly our special trip to Mexico. Planning the trip with Joe, hoping that Sue and David would be fine with our decisions, and the realizing that they didn't have a choice in the matter. :) Talking on the beach, a deep sea fishing trip & the best chicken mole of my life along with a chocolate fountain dessert!

I remember the words that spoke of the end. Wanting to scream, cry and kick.

I remember so clearly not knowing what to say, what to do or how to help. I remember wanting to help, but not be in the way. I remember not saying enough, not doing enough and not feeling enough.

I remember so clearly telling Joe that I loved him for the last time, and getting a very sleepy "I love you too" in response.

I remember so clearly the pain that made me numb. The phone call. The deva ju of the week before losing David's Grandpa Ted.

I remember so clearly knowing that my heart was not the only one hurting, not the one hurt the deepst. Emotions feeling like slivers rocking through our worlds.

I remember Joe., so clearly. I miss Joe so much.

I remember that's why I walk. I walk so that I remember.

It's cancer. You have cancer.....

What if you were to hear those words.... what next?

What if your family was to hear those words..... how long?

In fact, I am sure most of you have already been in one of either of these positions.

In just a couple of days, I will be walking in memory of one of my favorite people that had to deal with just those words.

I know it's important to know where your money goes when you donate it to such special causes, so here is a breakout for what our donations do for Light the Night.

Funds raised by teams and individual walkers provide:

• • Lifesaving blood cancer research
• • 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. During this leisurely walk, walkers carry 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.

I think the biggest and best information to hear is this:

• 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.

This touches my heart so much, that our donations - help people who have just heard those fightening words, " You have cancer..." and gives them back the power and the hope, by getting them FREE information to help them decide "what's next"?

Please help me in my fundraising efforts today, not really for me - but for the people that have had blood cancers, the people the do have blood cancers, and most importantly the people that will have blood cancers......

Jennifer

Welcome to my Light The Night Walk homepage.

Light The Night Walk is The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's annual fundraising walk to pay tribute and bring hope to people battling cancer. Hundreds of thousands of participants raise funds for lifesaving research and patient services.

For more than 60 years, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) has been solely focused on people with blood cancers. Presently, we have more than $250 million committed to research across the United States and in ten other countries. Every dollar is provided by concerned donors. We invest in the best, outcome based science:

• Anywhere, with no geographic or institutional boundaries
• Without profit incentive
• To meet unmet Medicare needs of people with blood cancers

And LLS funded advances are helping patients beyond those for whom they were originally developed, including people with solid tumors and auto-immune diseases. In the past decade, nearly 50% (19 out of 39) of the cancer drugs approved by the FDA were approved as treatments for blood cancer patients. Twelve are already approved for people beyond those for whom they were first developed. With your help, we are saving lives.

• 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 for your support!