Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
WINONA LAKE - More than 1,000 cancer supporters and survivors attended the fifth annual "Light the Night Walk" Thursday.
"Light the Night" is a national annual evening walk put on by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society to celebrate and commemorate people who have been affected by cancer.
This year's walk raised more than $56,000, exceeding 2005's $49,000.
The funds were raised by 36 corporate, friend and family teams who participated in the walk.
The money will be donated to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society for research into curing blood cancers including leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma.
Ben Woodcox, walk chairperson, said he was pleased with the amount raised and the turnout.
"This year's walk went well and we will come back next year and keep working until there is a cure for cancer," Woodcox said.
Woodcox led the opening ceremony at Rodeheaver Auditorium.
"The funds that have been raised tonight will help save the lives of those who are diagnosed with cancer in the future," Woodcox said.
He said since 1949, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society has invested more than $483 million in cancer research.
Woodcox thanked presenting sponsor Biomet as well as supporting sponsors including Beacon Credit Union, Kosciusko Community Hospital, Northern Indiana Public Service, Penguin Point, Zimmer, Paragon Medical, Kroger Food Stores, Pharmion and Depuy.
The honoree for this year's walk was Max Elliott, son of local residents Matt and Kristin Elliott. Kristin serves on the Light the Night Committee and Matt is a Zimmer employee.
Max, 5, was diagnosed with leukemia in January 2005 and is in his second year of treatment.
He attended the walk with his parents and sister Abbie.
"We are honored to have the community come out and support our family and others who struggle with cancer," Kristin said.
"The funds that have been collected through Light The Knight will help make Max's life and ours more bearable."
A plaque was awarded to a team called Stella's Girls for raising more than $11,000.
The team attended the walk and raised funds in memory of Stella Hyndman who died from leukemia in 1998.
"This is a wonderful event and I hope the funds that have been raised will save lives," said Stella's daughter, Kris Jensen, of Syracuse.
The Elliott family led the walk around the town park and island at Winona Lake.
Participants held white balloons, representing cancer survivors, and red balloons, representing cancer supporters, while they walked. The balloons had lights inside them that could be turned on and off with a switch on the battery pack.
Crystal Michael, campaign coordinator for the event, said "We are celebrating the lives that have been saved because of research advances and remembering the loved ones we've lost to diseases because the advances have not come soon enough for some."
