By Alana Mitchelson
PAKENHAM residents will light different coloured lanterns symbolic of the way their lives have been touched by cancer to raise funds for vital research into blood cancer treatment.
A blue lantern for those who want to show they care, yellow to remember someone lost to cancer and white to recognise walkers who may be going through their own cancer journey.
Amanda Papworth lost her father, Leo, last October to an incurable blood cancer – Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) – that affected both his white and red blood cells as well as his platelets.
She will be taking part in the Toomuc Reserve Light The Night walk this weekend, lighting a yellow lantern in memory of him.
“He battled through it for five years. He was always at such high risk of infection and almost died from conjunctivitis one year,” Ms Papworth said.
“It’s not a cancer you can see. He went to the doctor because he wasn’t feeling well and had just been feeling really tired all the time, before being diagnosed.
“My dad was only able to survive so long due to the very kind people that donate their blood. When he had infections and towards the end, he was having up to 11 bags of blood a week.
“Without this, he wouldn’t have even survived six months.”
Family activities will begin from 5.30pm prior to the walk on Friday 30 September including face painting, a jumping castle, CFA trucks, show bags, a barbecue and homemade cupcakes.
There will be raffle prizes including a bike, a family pass on Puffing Billy and four rounds of golf, with lanterns available for a five dollar donation.
Residents will then let off helium balloons to signal the start of the walk at about 7pm.
“We’re really hoping to make Light The Night a big annual event in Pakenham,” Ms Papworth said.
“The research that the Leukaemia Foundation does hasn’t just benefited people with blood cancers, but has also supported the research of many other cancers. So their research is really important for everyone and they do an amazing job.“
Football fans have also been taking part in an online auction for limited edition, framed and signed prints of the 2016 Geelong Cats and Hawthorn Hawks football teams over the past few weeks, with bids closing at 7pm on Thursday 29 September.
More than 60,000 Australians are living with blood cancers including leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma and, every day, another 35 people are diagnosed.
According to the Leukaemia Foundation, every $100 raised could cover the costs of giving a family immediate emotional support and one hour of blood cancer research.
Light The Night is at 5.30pm on Friday 30 September at Toomuc Reserve, with a second Pakenham event taking place at 7pm on Friday 7 October at Lakeside Lake.
For more information, visit lightthenight.org.au/event/pakenham1 or lightthenight.org.au/event/pakenham, or phone 1800 500 088.
To view the online auction, visit the ’Pakenham Light The Night Family Event 2016’ Facebook page.
