By Malachi Kudura
November 5th, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society held Light the Night San Diego 2022. This event had music, food, vendors, and free giveaways. Many of the people were celebrating family or friends who are either fighting, have survived or were honoring the memory of those who didn’t make it. Each supporter was given a lantern representing their loved one’s recovery status.
“The Night the Light SD” plaza was full of smiling families and friends, celebrating their loved one’s journey. When 10-year-old Leukemia survivor Elijah Johnson was asked how this event made him feel he said, “It makes me feel good, it makes me feel loved.” He is celebrating two years in remission with family and friends. Many of the child survivors enjoyed playing catch football and soccer as the music played.
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s mission, according to the lls.org website, is to “cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease, and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research around the world, provides free information and support services, and is the voice for all blood cancer patients seeking access to quality, affordable, coordinated care.”
Many patients and families use the many resources and services offered by LLS. The information it provides is beneficial and helpful to those dealing with these blood cancers.
As with many other diseases, these blood cancers affect African Americans at a higher mortality rate than other races. It is crucial to address social factors and systemic racism that people in inner-city communities have inherited. These issues make it difficult for these patients with cancer and overall health problems to get the services needed. For many years, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society has been helping resolve these issues and many more. LLS is dedicated to the many patients and families that they serve and support. Light the Night San Diego’s celebration to inspire, hope, and fight, looks like it will be here for many more years to come.
