Lanterns light way for blood cancer battle

As night falls, blue, white and gold lanterns will light up the sky when the Albany community marches in solace for the annual Light the Night this Saturday.

The Leukaemia Foundation fundraiser will begin at 5.30pm at Emu Point and will raise funds for research and support efforts, including accommodation cover.

More than 60,000 Australians are living with blood cancers including leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma or a related blood disorder, and about 35 people are diagnosed daily.

Co-ordinator Gayle Harman said the event has grown in strength and is an important event to show support for those surviving a blood cancer.

“It has become an event on the Albany calendar as a serene evening to reflect and celebrate depending on your cancer journey,” she said.

“It’s just a quiet, peaceful, family event.”

The three different lanterns which will be sold represent different stages in someone’s journey: gold, to remember a loved one; white, for your own blood cancer journey; or blue, to support others and help beat blood cancer.

“Light the Night also allows like-minded people to get together and share grief,” Ms Harman said.

“For some families it’s an emotional event.”