Light The Night Walk draws more than 2,000 participants, hopes to raise around $200,000

Photos by Mike Maloney/London Community News/Twitter: mdmaloneyphoto Undeterred by the autumn rain, an estimated 2,000 people gathered in Victoria Park on Saturday evening (Oct. 20) to take part in the first annual Light The Night Walk in London. Held in support of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada (LLSC), the event was one of a number of similar walks happening across the country. In teams or as individuals, participants wove through the streets of downtown for approximately 40 minutes before winding back up at the park. Walkers carried with them red, white or gold balloons — white balloons by survivors, red balloons by supporters and gold for those walking in memory of loved ones lost to cancer. Christine and Gary Vanderhoek lost their daughter, Kaitlin, in the spring of 2009, after she had waged a two-year battle with acute myeloid leukemia. To be chosen as the Corporate Walk Chair of the event was quite an honour for Vandehoek and his family, despite all the behind the scenes work that goes along with it. “She is my hero, my best friend and my inspiration so we are here tonight for that,” Gary said Pleased with the turnout — the London event actually set a Light the Night record for the largest number of participants for a first time walk — Vanderhoek especially wanted to extend his thanks to everyone that came out to show their support. In all, more than $200,000 was expected to be raised as a result of the London Walk. More information on Light the Night is available at www.lightthenight.ca. Find us on Facebook: London Community News [gallery columns="4"]