Pat P

There have been so many challenges presented over the years with Pat's diagnosis. In terms of the disease itself not only were the treatments difficult on Pat, but I also was experiencing his pain and the stress he must have been going through second hand. After his treatments he experienced two false positives from his PET scans, and it was a year later before we actually knew he was in remission. This gave us both the sense that his experience with a blood cancer seemed like it was never going to end. Although some days were better than others, it was good to look forward to the future with a positive outlook when it seemed as though things were not getting resolved.

We started walking in 2019 for Pat. He was diagnosed with Classic Hodgkin's Lymphoma in 2012, but started walking when we returned from Nicaragua.

We were inspired to join LTN when we came back from our volunteer mission in Nicaragua. I had contacted my old boss who had been diagnosed with CLL and she first planted the idea of Light the Night. From that point it seemed like the perfect event to support Pat, and everyone else who has been affected by a blood cancer.

Light The Night to us first started as a fundraiser to support the blood cancer community, however, after experiencing LTN the night it gave me an appreciation of how many people are affected by these awful diseases. It truly shows the impact that blood cancers have and gives us a better sense of awareness.

The moment I look forward to every single year is walking past the hospitals the night of the walk, and seeing the patients watching from the window. It is honestly such a touching and emotional moment for every single person taking part in the event.

I think that Canadians should support the blood cancer community through Light he Night as it is not only a really emotional and moving event, but it shows participant how many people are affected by a blood cancer, and that you are never alone.