Cancer patients to be celebrated with light Thursday night

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By Christine Holmes, News Director

The campus of Ohio University Zanesville and Zane State College will be aglow this Thursday evening for the annual Light The Night Walk in support of cancer research.

Sponsored by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Central Ohio, teams and individuals throughout the community have raised funds for the past several months in support of the cause leading up to the walk.

This year, 40 teams composed of friends, family and corporations are registered for the walk and challenged to reach a fundraising goal of $55,000.

“Money that is raised goes for our mission, which is to cure blood cancer and improve the quality of life for patients and their families,” said Katie Peck, Campaign Specialist at LSS of Central Ohio.

Last year, LLS gave more than $1.5 million to local patients in central Ohio who are battling blood cancer. The patients were selected through an application process and the money can be used for co-pay assistance and travel grants to get to and from treatments.

LLS also funds three researchers at OSU’s James Center.

In addition to financial support, LLS also provides support services such as peer-to-peer groups, online chats, social networking and other resources for patients and families.

Zanesville’s Light The Night Walk begins at 5:30 p.m. and ends around 9 p.m.

Food and beverage will be available, as well as a kids fun zone with a bounce house and clown.

The opening ceremony begins at 7:30 p.m. with a lantern lighting with the walk to follow.

All survivors will be honored with white lanterns during the walk and in the Remembrance Pavilion.

The event is free of charge.

Anyone wishing to donate to LLS can do so at http://www.lightthenight.org/events/zanesville.