"I am living proof of what can be. We can knock (blood cancers) out of the park," Amy Allison said Thursday morning at the "Light The Night" Corporate Walk reception.
Allison is the the 2008 Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Honored Hero for the Winona Lake walk, which will be Sept. 18.
Allison told of her experience with leukemia, and encouraged the representatives from various corporations at the meeting to form walk teams and support LLS.
"Cancer can take anyone," Allison said. "I am living proof. ... I would not be here if it were not for people like you and other supporters."
After her experience with treatments, Allison said she became involved with LLS because she wanted to help others.
Funds raised by LLS are used for blood cancer research, patient services like support groups and insurance assistance, and advocacy services.
"We do all we can to better the lives of patients and families," said Light The Night Campaign Coordinator Kate Butler, who added that survival rates and quality of life of patients have increased significantly over the past several years.
Flyers for the event say, "For one night, hope doesn't flicker, it floats." During the walk, people carry lighted red, white and gold balloons. The red balloons, representing red blood cells, are carried by supporters. White balloons represent white blood cells and are carried by blood cancer survivors. People who have died from blood cancers are remembered with gold balloons.
"The walk celebrates and commemorates the lives of those affected by blood cancers," Butler said.
This year, the goal set for the Winona Lake walk is $57,000, something Butler said is "highly achievable."
This year, Jerry Beasley of Kosciusko Community Hospital, and Dane Miller of Biomet, are the chairs of the corporate walk.
Corporations or individuals may form teams to participate in the walk, and businesses can sell and display "Light The Night" paper balloons. For more information about how to start a team or sell the balloons, contact Butler at 260-435-2525 or kate.butler@lls.org
