These lanterns will be put to good use when Wyndham residents take a twilight stroll in the name of charity next month.
Paul Goney and Lee Hallinan joined forces to organise Wyndham Vale’s Light the Night walk on October 9. The walk will be held on Werribee South Beach to raise money for the Leukaemia Foundation.
Mr Goney, of Wyndham Vale, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in July, 2011 and underwent a bone marrow transplant and three rounds of chemotherapy before getting the all-clear.
Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia is characterised by an overproduction of immature white blood cells, which crowd the bone marrow, preventing it from making normal blood cells.
These cells are unable to function properly to prevent or fight infection.
Mr Goney is now keen to give back to the foundation that helped him when he was sick. “The Leukaemia Foundation does a lot of good work, like arranging accommodation for families that want to be close to the hospital, and it arranges transport for people who have no one to drop them off and pick them up,” he said.
Ms Hallinan says many Wyndham families have been touched by blood cancer, and they can share their stories on October 9 when they will carry one of three coloured lanterns: gold to remember someone, white for their own journey, or blue to show they care.
Mr Goney and Ms Hallinan hope to raise $5000 for the foundation at Wyndham Vale’s Light the Night Walk, which starts 6pm at the Werribee South Beach and playground.
For more information or to donate, go to lightthenight.org.au
