Local Childhood Survivor Leading

‘Light The Night’ Event

Christina Ercole, thankful to have survived acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and her family, of Newtown, grateful that their daughter, overcame her battle with disease, are determined to help build awareness about the approximately 1,012,533 people in the United States living with a blood cancer.

The Ercole family will show their support by participating in The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Light The Night Walk on Saturday, September 29, at Newtown Youth Academy at Fairfield Hills.

Light The Night, LLS’s annual fundraising walk held in communities throughout the country, features teams of co-workers, families and friends walking together in twilight holding illuminated balloons — white for survivors, red for supporters, and gold to remember those who have died.

The Walk, which commemorates lives touched by blood cancers, is a celebration, with music, refreshments, and family activities.

In November 2000, Christina was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. She had just turned 11 years old and began her first year of middle school.

She was treated at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center and her treatment lasted for 2½ years. During that time span, her time was filled with various aggressive forms of chemotherapy, spinal taps, bone marrow aspirations, hospital stays, six-hour blood transfusions. Today, Christina is cancer free and is a survivor!

“Light The Night is the nation’s opportunity to pay tribute to lives touched by blood cancer,” said Jean Montano chapter executive director. “We are grateful to all of our participants for supporting this lifesaving program. The funds raised help the society support leading-edge research and provide much-needed patient services.”

Last year, participants in Light The Night Walk raised more than $39 million, nationwide.

For more information or to register for a local Walk, contact the Connecticut chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society at 203-665-1400 or visit www.lightthenight.org/ct.