Light the Night

Superman Sammy was a wonderful Honored Patient at this year's Light the Night walk at Playland.  We had so many people come to support us, including friends form work, our neighborhood (even  though many had moved away), and as far as from California and Florida!!!  There were many orange t. shirts showing Sammy much love that night.

LPAC danced again and wowed the audience, and the overall turnout was excellent.  We have raised $8500 to date and there is more to come.

Sammy was cold and tired by the time he needed to go on stage...we had partied the night before with all our friends from near and far...so he was not as on form as usual once on stage.  He did well, however, and I spoke for him and talked about our journey, and how much I want the road we are all traveling on to be CLOSED for good...no more cancer!!!

Sammy and I had been videoed earlier in the day to promote LTN and Sammy was also interviewed by News 12 Westchester.  He really is getting to be an old pro at the celebrity thing!

Walking was wonderful, surrounded by so many people who were there to support us as well as the Warriors.  Peter had returned home from college to be there and was as much an inspiration as ever.  He really is the vision of hope that drives parents forward.

Final numbers and amounts have yet to be counted..I will let you know as soon as they are.  But for now, here are some pictures of the night:

Light The Night Kick-Off

As an honored patient of the Light the Night Walk this year, Sammy was asked to be part of the Kick-Off ceremony.  He is one of the faces of blood cancer!  He is the face showing the reasons why people are asked to walk and donate money.  Here are some more reasons to give:

•  Childhood cancer is the #1 cause of death by disease in children under 20.
• When children are diagnosed with cancer, 80% have advanced stages of the disease, compared to 20% in adults. Many children are originally misdiagnosed, which leads to greater suffering and many times, death.
• One in five children diagnosed with cancer will die. In some forms of childhood cancer, one in five will live.

This information was taken from a website written by an incredible young cancer survivor whose post is in honor of a child who passed away last week.  We walk for people like Ethan Jostad and Melinda Marchiano.

I know I am talking about more than blood cancer, but the LLS has been finding treatments for blood cancers which actually have become successful in treating many other forms of cancer also.  

Sammy was a trooper having had his lumbar puncture earlier that same day.  He was exhausted and pumped with more chemo than usual, including steroids, but he talked and smiled and socialized like a pro!  He joined me as I gave a brief speech honoring Sammy and explaining why the walk is so important.  He even ended the speech saying he's going to kick cancers ass!!! The room was in uproar...I was shocked but immensely proud of his resolve.

We now start the campaign to really get as much money as we can to help save the lives of both children and adults.  The LLS is also now funding research for the dreaded Late Effects which will be looming over Sammy for the rest of his life.

I am proud of my son for all he is willing to do to help with this fundraising.  At the same time I am devastated he is the face of cancer!  Not my son!!!!  Yes, unfortunately cancer does not care who you are...the beast will become part of your life if it so chooses.

Please help us find a cure and beat the beast once and for all....I don't ever want to see a child posted as the face of cancer, even though it is in the positive light of fighting for a cure....no-one should endure this!

If you live locally (Westchester/Fairfield) you can sign up to join Sammy's team and walk with us.  It is a wonderfully fun night...Sammy will also be speaking on stage!  To join, just sign up on Sammy's team page.  (See link below) If you cannot join the team but would like to make a donation, the link is the same, just follow the prompts.  Any amount is welcome, no matter how small you think it is.  Details about the walk are on the webpage:

Join or Donate to Team SuperSammy  

Thank you so much to all those who have donated or signed up to walk already...your support is priceless xxxx