The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada renews support from Loblaw Companies Limited ahead of Light The Night Walk events in Saskatchewan

SASKATCHEWAN, Sept. 21, 2017 /CNW/ - For the second consecutive year, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada (LLSC) partners with Loblaw Companies Limited to kick-off the annual Light The Night Walks in Regina and Saskatoon. Teams of Loblaw and UFCW staff will join blood cancer patients and survivors together with their friends and family at Wascana Legislative Grounds for the annual Light The Night Walk in Regina on Saturday, September 23 and at Kiwanis Park North in Saskatoon on Saturday, September 30.  

"We are excited to join the members of UFCW at the annual Light The Night Walks in Saskatchewan to help the LLSC reach their goals to help those affected by blood cancers," says Paul Brown, District Manager at Loblaw Companies Limited.

This year, staff at Loblaw Companies Limited have formed 12 teams to participate in the Regina and Saskatoon Light The Night Walks. Loblaw has also expanded the sale of paper lanterns at all its Superstore, Extra Foods and Great Canadian Wholesale Club stores in Saskatchewan from now through September 30, 2017. One hundred per cent of the lantern sales will support the LLSC.

"We are proud to welcome Loblaw Companies to the LLSC family," says Lauren Atkinson, Regional Director for the Prairies Region at LLSC. "It is thanks in part to our loyal partners that the Light The Night Walk continues to raise much-needed funds to support Canadian research and support services for those affected by a blood cancer in Saskatchewan and beyond."

In 2016, over 35,000 Canadians raised $5.4 million at Light The Night events across the country to help fund the most promising research projects in Canada to improve treatments or find cures for the various forms of blood cancers. In addition, monies raised make it possible to provide free information and support services to blood cancer patients and their caregivers.

Canadians like Regina resident and honoured hero, Brianne Urzada, will be among the participants in attendance.

"I'll be celebrating my fourth year in remission thanks to the support and treatment available," explains Brianne Uzada, cancer survivor and Light The Night participant. "I'll be walking because I'm grateful for the steps The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is taking to fight this disease."

In Saskatoon, survivor and 2017 Honoured Hero, Kim Swiatecki, will walk at dawn.

"I walk to raise awareness and so that hopefully one day, someone else won't have to.  I walk, to celebrate life," says Kim who is captain of team Strong, Brave, and Beautiful.

At the Light The Night Walks, Brianne and Kim will join other participants in a family-friendly evening event that will feature local entertainment, kids' activities, and food.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

5:00pm | Registration Opens

5:00pm | Remembrance Pavilion Opens

6:45pm | Main Stage Program

7:00pm | Walk Starts

About Light The Night Walk
Each year, in communities across Canada, teams of families, friends, and co-workers walk at twilight holding illuminated lanterns to raise funds for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada at the Light The Night Walks. Together, they bring help and hope to people affected by blood cancers and their families. The Walks are an inspirational and memorable evening event that takes place in nearly 200 communities across North America each fall. There are 11 official Canadian Light The Night Walks and dozens of volunteer-hosted community and school walks across the country.

About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada is the single largest voluntary health agency dedicated to blood cancers in the country. We fund lifesaving blood cancer research across Canada, and provide free information and support services. Our mission is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.

Thank you to Globe and Mail, National Presenting Media Sponsor.

For updates, follow: #LightTheNight #endbloodcancers

To start a team or to learn more, please call 306-261-4723 or visit LightTheNight.ca

SOURCE The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada