Students, faculty come together for Light the Night Walk

Megan Wood

Editor-in-Chief



Would you walk two mile to save a life? That’s the question the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is asking. The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Light the Night Walk is the nation’s night to pay tribute and bring hope to people battling cancer. Professor Marlyin Hartness, a survivor of lymphoma participated with two Wingate students in Charlotte’s Light the Night Walk Oct. 17.

“I love going to light the night with Ms. Hartness, not only because it’s encouraging and empowering to me, but because of how much it means to her,” said senior Effie Stansbery, that has attend the walk with Professor Hartness more than once.

Anyone can take part in the walk. This is a casual fundraising walk with no fitness requirements.

“Some walk to support a family member or friend, others walk in honor of someone they’ve known and loved who has lost the battle to cancer, and others walk to celebrate a fight that has been won,” said Stansbery.

Those walking carry illuminated balloons that designate them. White are for survivors, red for supporters and gold in memory of loved ones lost to cancer.

“As a survivor of Lymphoma, she’s [Hartness] been through it,” said Stansbery. “It’s the most intense feeling to be part of a group of people, all holding different colored balloons, walking for a common cause.”

Teams are formed for Light the Night Walks and Professor Hartness team name is “Winning”. Her team players are Wingate. “I’m a positive person and it’s a play on words,” Professor Hartness explained about her team name.

Each year Professor Hartness holds a silent auction to raise money to be donated during Light the Walk. Funds raised support the work of hundreds of the world’s best and brightest researchers in their search for better therapies and cures for leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma.

Whether you’re a cancer survivor, supporting someone who is battling cancer or have lost a loved one, you are encouraged to join Light the Night walks.

“Whether that night is the evening time after the sun has gone down, or the darkness that fills the bodies of those struggling with cancer we walk, and will continue to walk, to light the night,” Stansbery said.