Light the Night walks at hundreds of communities across Canada are expected in total to raise over $2 million dollar this year for the research efforts of Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada’s (LLSC) to find a cure and more effective treatments for leukemia and other blood cancers. Participants carry illuminated balloons — white for survivors, red for supporters and gold for those walking in memory to celebrate and commemorate lives touched by cancer.

Recently UFCW Canada members and Local Unions in Quebec, Saskatchewan and British Columbia joined Light the Night Walks in their communities, as part of UFCW Canada’s ongoing efforts as the largest annual contributor to the LLSC’s fundraising efforts.

In Montreal more than 100 TUAC Canada participants walked for five kilometers to Light the Night in Jean Drapeau Park on October 2. One kilometer of the walk has held in silence to honour and commemorate those who have died from blood cancers. Members and officers of Local Unions 500, 405, 501, the Quebec Provincial Council, as well as UFCW Canada national office staff participated in the event along with their families and friends.

In Saskatoon members of UFCW Canada Local 1400 enthusiastically participated in the First Annual Light the Night walk on September 18 at Kiwanis Memorial Park. Along with hundreds of LLSC volunteers, Team 1400 — as they proudly called themselves — raised over $7, 750 through personal donations and pledges as they took part in the 5 kilometer walk for a great cause.

In Vancouver thousands of participants including members of UFCW Canada Local 1518 and Local 247 gathered on October 16, in Stanley Park to walk 5 kilometers around the seawall. Members of the two Local Unions are continuing their fundraising through different activities and personal donations until the end of the year.

Vol. X No. 45 • November 15, 2010