Night sky alights as thousands of Aussies shine a light on blood cancer

Saturday, 16 October, thousands of Australians impacted by blood cancer, from every corner of the country lit up the night skies from their backyards, loungerooms and hospital wards, for the Leukaemia Foundation’s annual virtual Light the Night ceremony.

For 14 years, Light the Night has brought together the entire Australian blood cancer community including patients, their families, carers and friends, and members of the medical and research communities to stand united in support of a future free of blood cancer.

Every day 50 Australians are diagnosed with blood cancer confirming its position as the second most diagnosed cancer in Australia and the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths in the country. Light the Night offers a unique opportunity for the growing number of Australians impacted by a blood cancer diagnosis, to shine a light on the disease and come together in support of one another.

Prior to COVID-19, Light the Night involved large crowds and beautiful evening lantern walks in capital cities and regional towns, but with restrictions in place for a second year and blood cancer patients amongst the most immunocompromised in the country, the virtual Light the Night ceremony creates a safe opportunity for patients and their family and friends to be involved no matter where they are, or their stage of treatment.

Popular television presenter and much-loved media personality, Osher Günsberg, hosted Light the Night and brought the event into people’s homes via streaming on the Light the Night website. Osher himself is no stranger to blood cancer with his mother passing away from myeloma in 2018.

Light the Night was free to attend, and funds raised through this special virtual event helps to provide vital support for the more than 110,000 Australians and their loved ones currently living with blood cancer.

Join the Leukaemia Foundation and other Australians affected by blood cancer online at this year’s Light the Night by registering at lightthenight.org.auor phone 1800 620 420. #LightTheNightAu

• Osher Günsberg hosted the Leukaemia Foundation’s annual Light the Night virtual ceremony last Saturday, 16 October.
• Thousands of Aussies impacted by blood cancer took part and lit up the night skies from their backyards, loungerooms and hospital wards.  
• Show your support for the 110,000 Australians currently living with blood cancer in Australia today. 

Lourdes Antenor

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Lourdes Antenor is an experienced writer who specialises in the not-for-profit sector and its affiliations. She is the content producer for Third Sector News, an online knowledge-based platform for and about the Australian NFP sector.

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