Light the Night for Leukaemia Foundation at North Ryde Oval
A PARADE of people carrying lanterns is expected at North Ryde Oval on Friday evening in an effort to help those battling leukaemia.
Northern District Times
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A PARADE of people carrying lanterns is expected at North Ryde Oval on Friday evening in an effort to help those battling leukaemia.
People from across the community will take part in one of many Leukaemia Foundation Light The Night events which raise money for the national charity.
They will be given lanterns to symbolise lighting the way for sufferers who often feel “left in the dark” after a blood cancer diagnosis.
Bennelong federal Liberal MP John Alexander will be participating.
He is devoting his annual charitable 100km walk this year to helping leukaemia sufferers and will start at the oval.
“I’m doing the 100km walk for leukaemia this year to honour my dear friend and tennis mentor, Lew Hoad,” Mr Alexander said.
“Lew was the best amateur player in the world in the 1950s but unfortunately, later in life, he succumbed to leukaemia.”
Mr Domone, of Denistone, will also be walking.
The 68-year-old was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, an aggressive form, in 2011.
Despite chemotherapy, his future had been “pretty bleak”, Mr Domone said.
Yet through the foundation he learned of a drug being trialled in Melbourne.
The foundation helped Mr Domone participate in the trial of the drug, ibrutinib.
“I’m feeling very good. I’m able to do most of the things I used to do,” he said of the results.
“I volunteer with Sailability – helping disabled sailors sail dinghies – and I’ve been playing with my grandkids.”
Meanwhile, Mr Alexander will complete his 100km walk on November 10 at Eastwood Oval.
The biggest donor to Mr Alexander’s fundraising effort will get to shave his head, as part of the foundation’s World’s Greatest Shave campaign.