Just over 19 years ago, my family got news that would change our lives forever.  At only about 18 months old, I was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL).  I started treatment the next day and luckily was in remission after 8 days of chemotherapy.  I went on to receive 2 ½ years of chemo.  As the saying goes, cancer sucks.  Yet overall I consider myself rather lucky.  I was diagnosed in time for treatment to be effective.  I never needed radiation.  And most importantly, my family and I found an amazing support system.  Our Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) journey all started when my brother declared that he was going to run a marathon (at the age of 5) to pay the doctors to save my life.  In my mom’s search to find a way for my brother to help without actually running a marathon, she found the LLS and their Light the Night walk.  Our local chapter was beyond incredible to my family, especially my brother.  He was treated like the thoughtful young man he was quickly becoming.  And in return, my brother was the captain of the most successful “friends and family” team, even out-fundraising many corporate teams.  Over 10 years, and with the help of my cute face tagging along, our team raised $100,000.  More importantly, to me at least, was the ‘cancer family’ that came from our team.  In what were some of the darkest times of my life and that of my family, Light the Night, and the family we formed, was a ray of hope we all desperately needed.  At one point, money raised for Light the Night went, via grant, to the doctor who diagnosed me and “saved my life” fulfilling my brother’s promise.  After 10 years, my family decided it was time to step away and focus on school and broadening our horizons.  But now it is my turn to carry the torch in the fight against blood cancer.  It is time for me to once again battle cancer, if in a different way.  The LLS and Light the Night are so powerful because they not only raise money to physically fight cancer, they raise hope to emotionally fight cancer.  Our experience with LLS was such a blessing for my family, so now I strive to pay it forward to the next generation of survivors, caretakers, supporters, and all those who battle cancer.