Why do we Light the Night?

It was Christmas eve 2002, a little after 4:30 in the afternoon, when my husband and I heard the words, "Katie has Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. She has cancer." Cancer?! She's only 2 years old!

Katie immediately started her treatment and remained in the hospital for three weeks. The goal was to get her into remission within 28 days. We were thrilled when the oncologists told us she went into remission by day seven. The excitement was diminished when they also told us that Katie had compression fractures in her spine from a combination of the intense chemo and the leukemia, and they weren't sure how long it would be before she would be able to walk again.

Katie has gone through two years and 2 months of intense chemotherapy, spinal taps, bone marrow aspirations, and blood transfusions. She experienced many unpleasant and painful side effects from the chemotherapy. She was very ill during that time and was unable to walk or even crawl for several months. Getting her to take her meds was quite a challenge. Katie had so many trips to the ER and inpatient stays due to fevers and low blood counts while on treatment, we lost count.

Katie is now 6-years-old and has been off-treatment since February 2005. The side effects she experienced have gone and her hair has grown back. She enjoys crafting, swimming, cooking, singing, dancing, gymnastics and biking. She is back to being a normal child again!

Although Katie has been in remission since New Year's eve 2003, we still worry that her leukemia could come back. Yes, the survival rates for leukemia are much better than they were years ago, but there are still children who will die from this disease. Cancer remains the number one disease killer of children; more than genetic anomalies, cystic fibrosis, and AIDS combined.

Throughout Katie's treatment, we have turned to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society for accurate, up-to-date, disease-related information, education programs and family support groups to help us get through the different phases of her treatment. The Trish Greene Back to School Program for Children with Cancer helped us communicate with Katie's preschool so they had a better understanding of Katie's needs while she was in active treatment. Most importantly, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society has helped in saving lives and further improving survival rates.

One night, Katie made a wish on a star. She wished that she was all better and there was no more leukemia.

When we heard about the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Light the Night Walk, we thought it was the perfect opportunity for us to help make Katie's wish come true. We participate as a family, with Katie leading our team, proudly carrying her white balloon as her symbol of being a true survivor. As we walk together, we look at the sea of illuminated red and white balloons, twinkling like stars, and remember Katie's wish. We know that each and every person at Light the Night is walking for the same reason -- to help cure blood cancers.

Light the Night is a time for us to be with family and friends and celebrate life!! It is also a time for us to remember those like my Uncle John who lost his battle with Hodgkin's disease almost 40 years ago. Had my Uncle been diagnosed today, he would be walking as a survivor with Katie.

Your participation at Light the Night will help many more kids like Katie in their fight against leukemia and other blood cancers. We hope you will join us for this year's Light the Night Walk, and share in our celebration of life and hope. While you're there, look for Katie. She'll be carrying a white balloon, her symbol of her wish for a cure.

Sincerely,

Patty Harr
Proud mom of qsKatie, my hero