Mount Isans came together to Light the Night on a lovely Saturday evening in the North West.
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Light the Night is the Leukaemia Foundation’s evening lantern walk, where Australians come together and “transform the darkness into a sea of glowing light to beat blood cancer.”
With one of the most active fundraising leukaemia groups in the country, Mount Isa was always going to be in the party and a couple of hundred people gathered at Tony White Oval to take part to raise money and awareness for blood cancers.
This was the second year it was held in the city.
Those who attended listened to speeches and then at dusk they lit up the lanterns and walked around the oval the crowd carried their different coloured lanterns along a reflective walk to Light the Night.
The crowd bought the lanterns for $10 each on the night and similarly-coloured cupcakes for a gold coin and all money raised goes to blood cancer research and support.
MC Trish McNamara said each coloured lantern carries a special meaning.
“Gold is to remember loved ones lost to blood cancer, white is for those diagnosed themselves and blue is to show community support for all those affected,” Ms McNamara said.
Speakers gave their account of what it was like to be a leukaemia sufferer, survivor or supporter with those present urged to donate blood or bone marrow if they have the opportunity.
Volunteer Danielle Miller from the local branch of the Leukaemia Foundation said they had been going 40 years praised the work of sisters Cathy Swift and Joyce Neilsen who raise money at the Plaza every Thursday and Saturday selling raffle tickets.
“They have become the face of the Leukaemia Foundation in Mount Isa,” Ms Miller said.
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