Today, a non-real estate blog post.  It's that time of year again. The 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.

The picture you see here is me in 2001, when I was undergoing Chemotherapy for Stage 3 Hodgkin's Lymphoma, surrounded by my family.  After chemo, I did 5 weeks of intense radiation as well before the doctors told me I had gone into remission.  8 years later, here I am, happy and healthy and celebrating being considered "cured" by my doctors. 

About 3 years ago, I was mentoring a Hodgkins Lymphoma patient named Megan.  We talked about life after cancer, about how we would adopt children if we couldn't have our own due to our treatments, and about how cancer changes your outlook on life.  She was a mere 20 years old and had exactly the type that I had, in exactly the same place, and we really related to each other because of that.  We nearly had the exact same course of treatments too.  She past away after her cancer returned and her body could not fight it anymore.  I was dumbfounded that our illnesses were virtually the same, our treatments virtually the same, but I survived and she did not.  So I'm dedicating my walk this year to Megan, and to those still battling cancer.

Everyone knows someone who has battled cancer, regardless of the outcome, and we all know how badly research and new treatments are still needed.  Please join me in supporting this cause.  I would love it if you could help me by donating any small amount - even $5 helps, or you can sign up to walk on our Team! All you have to do as a walker is raise a minimum of $25.  This is an evening walk that takes place in downtown Tampa on November 7th, its about 2-3 miles and walkers carry baloons with lights inside them - white for patients and survivors, and red for supporters. 

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 for your support!