On the evening of October 17, several members of the BC Humanists participated in the annual Light the Night Walk, organized by The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada. Our participation is one of our many community actions that express our Humanist values locally and nationally.
Each participant raised funds for research into leukemia, lymphoma and other blood related cancers. Progress in treatment, remission and survival within this category of cancers has been excellent - the past two decades has given people greater longevity and quality of life with a diagnosis that previously resulted in a life cut short.
I walked for friends who I have lost, and beside friends who I have the privilege of knowing. In addition to my personal reasons to walk, this event widens the scope of Humanist values. This year I encouraged two non-Humanist friends to walk and had an opportunity to talk to them about who we are and what we do. Friends unable to walk, yet supportive of Humanist values in community, sponsored me generously.
The walk itself? A warm calm October evening with hundreds of supporters and survivors winding along the seawall in Stanley Park, each holding a symbolic lantern. Patients and survivors carrying lanterns of white, supporters holding red, and gold for the memory of lives lived. From individuals to large groups, there is a hopeful solemnity to the event – a flood of light along the water's edge. Of course as science-heads we commented that the procession actually looked like blood flow in the circulatory system.
Join us next year if you can, or support the members that ask for donations to this good cause.