Welcome to my Light The Night Walk homepage.

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.

My name is Melissa Romero and my husband, Charlie, was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in the summer of 2009. Charlie and I have two children, ages 7 and 11. The day we learned of his diagnosis changed our lives forever. It is a diagnosis that affects the entire family. Through the support of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society we were able to obtain the tools to attack the disease head on. We were provided information and skills on how to educate our children and help them through this difficult situation. While we know that our journey is not over yet, and the road has been a rough one, we have found support in places we did not know existed.

Despite the fact that Charlie is a physician himself, there was much we had to learn about the disease, the treatments and the experience of being a cancer patient. The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society was able to provide support and knowledge that helped us through this complex diagnosis. We are so thankful that support like this exists and are encouraged by how through the support of this organization and fundraising activities such as the Light the Night Walk, there have been ground breaking advancements in treatments.

As you hopefully already know, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society offers patient financial aid, education materials and programs, advocacy, family support group & a Back to School Program.

Charlie will be walking this year as a survivor, and our entire family will be there right by his side to support him, as we have been through out this journey. It is a very important night to him, and our entire family.

Survivors carry special white balloons, while supporters carry red balloons. (There are also gold balloons to honor the memory of those who lost their battle).

I would love nothing more than to see hundreds of SURVIVORS walking alongside my husband. There is great comfort in knowing that you are not alone. With support of the organization and participation in the Light the Night Walk we can help find a way to better treatments and support for all the families on there journey to becoming a survivors.

The support that you have all provided over the past year has been an inspiration to us. We thank you for your continued support and contribution to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Light the Night walk.

Thank you from our entire family,

Melissa, Charlie, Harrison and Devon

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. New targeted therapies that kill cancer cells without harming normal tissue are providing drugs and procedures that are improving quality of life.

In fact, in 2009 alone, LLS researchers were conducting more than 90 clinical trials, a critical step in the development of new treatments and cures that will help patients live better, longer 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!