Lighting The Night

To the Editor:

 The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society had a very busy fall this year. In September, we held Newtown’s 4th Light the Night Fundraiser. We were once again walking at the Newtown Youth Authority at Fairfield Hills. We thank them for their staff, front lawn and parking, and their generous time. This year on September 29 we saw six corporate and 24 Family & Friends Teams carrying balloons and walking. We had over 400 walkers.

 Our goal was just over $60,000, but due to the generosity of the people who participated, we collected $67,000! Thanks once again to the following businesses that donated: Associated Refuse Haulers, Sippin Oil, Newtown Savings Bank, Union Savings Bank, People’s United Bank, Carminuccio’s Pizza, Subway, Sal e Pepe, The One-Eyed Pig, Mercedes-Benz, Toll Brothers, St Rose of Lima Church, Compass Capitol Management, Danbury Moose Lodge, Vitas Innovative Hospice Care, Law office of Ceceilla Buck Taylor, Innovative Dispute Resolutions LLC, Big Y and Caraluzzi’s markets, Wedding Steps, Mutual Securities, GE Capitol, Utz. Thanks to Mr Morning of KICKS 105 who was the MC.

Thanks to the following businesses for displaying cash donation jars: Queen Street Cleaners, Everything Newtown, Sandy Hook Deli, Newtown Deli, Sandy Hook Diner, Shoe Service in Bethel, and PJ Laundromat. It’s amazing how those coins add up.

Just to keep us busy, the next Saturday, we had a wine tasting at the Alexandra Room. Sandy Hook Wine & Liquors provided wine and beer samples. What a fun evening it was! Newtown Deli helped with the food, which was delicious. We had a few raffle items provided by Earth Elements Therapeutic Massage, Quality Gem Jewelers, Associated Refuse Haulers, Sal e Pepe, Infinity Therapeutic Massage, Kris Beckman, and Avance Esthetiques.

 Where do the funds go? They go to free educational and support programs for patients and their families who are living with blood cancers. LLS also provides monies for blood cancer research. Last year over 400,00 patients received financial assistance from LLS. Every four minutes someone is diagnosed with a blood cancer. Every ten minutes someone dies from blood cancer. Leukemia is the leading cause of death of children and young adults under the age of 20. And if that isn’t enough, leukemia is the leading cause of death of males under the age of 20.

 Our son, Greg, passed away in 2000. He was 17 years and 3 months old. Let’s make it happen, together we can find the cure, which will help find the cure of other cancers; blood travels all through the body.

 Once again you have proved, “It’s Nicer in Newtown.”

Ginny & John Chion

10 Cobblers Mill Road, Sandy Hook                        October 26, 2012