Tyler

By MALENA OGLES
Staff Writer

Fundraising efforts kicked off Tuesday for the 2008 Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Light the Night, an annual walk in the fall that benefits blood cancer patients and research.

At the Light the Night kickoff, business and family teams met to learn more about the fundraising process and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

"I don't just believe this is fluffy little idea we have, but it's a vision and a goal and it's our mission because we know there are families and people out there counting on us and you," said Rebecca Lawson, campaign manager for Light the Night.

"It's going to be a really special evening," she said.

The 2008 Light the Night Walk will be on Oct. 11 at Rose Rudman Trail from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The goal this year is to raise $100,000, which would be the most ever raised in East Texas.

According to information from the society, approximately 900,000 Americans are living with leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma.

Ms. Lawson said 76 cents of every dollar raised goes back to research and patient aid to help families in East Texas.

"That money that goes to help the people you go to work with, play sports with, go to church with," she said.

Anyone can participate in the walk and there is no cost to register.

Diedre Clark said her family started participating in the walk two years ago with their church, but this year she formed a business team with her employees at Chrysalis Spa Ranch in Tyler. Ms. Clark had a family member who was diagnosed with leukemia when she was 11 years old.

"We decided to start walking in her honor when she reached her 20th year in remission," Ms. Clark said.

For more information or to register for the walk visit www.lightthenight.org/ntx

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(Spotted Photo by Bonnie Zylka)