OSHAWA, Ont. - Bev Balenko, Durham College's chief operating officer, has been named the Honorary Chair for Canada's first Light the Night Walk benefiting patients with blood cancers and their families. Organized by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada, the event will take place in Oshawa on Wednesday, June 1.
"Cancer has touched everyone's life, including mine, so I'm honoured to be able to help in this way," said Balenko. "This is a very special, family-oriented event, and I'd like to encourage the people of Durham Region and Northumberland County to support it with their usual generosity and enthusiasm."
At 6 p.m. on June 1 at Memorial Park in Oshawa, teams of friends, families and co-workers will begin their walk in twilight, many of them holding illuminated balloons-white for survivors and red for supporters. The evening also includes music, food, and family activities.
Other Light the Night Walks are scheduled for cities across Canada and the United States this spring. The money raised through this international event will help fund research into finding a cure for blood cancers such as leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma. The proceeds also support the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada in its mission to raise awareness of blood cancers and improve the quality of life for patients and their families.
Residents of the eastern GTA and eastern Ontario who would like to personally take part in the walk may register online at www.lightthenight.org/eor or by calling toll-free 1.877.LTN.WALK (586.9255). Sponsors are also urgently needed for individual walkers and to cover the costs associated with the event. As a non-profit organization, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada relies on the generosity of individuals, corporations and foundations. To arrange a sponsorship for the Oshawa Light the Night Walk, please contact 1.877.586.9255.
"Please consider making this special gift," says Balenko. "Your support will make a real difference in the lives of patients and their families."
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About Durham College
For 38 years, Durham College has been committed to providing job-focused programs, accomplished professors, quality-driven innovation, student success and superior accountability. Our college has ranked first in provincial indicators for student satisfaction in the GTA for six years running, and at an 87.5 per cent grad employment rate, we have the highest ranking of the six GTA colleges. We've got over 5,500 full-time and 22,000 part-time students enrolled in just under 100 programs, as well as about 2,000 apprentices. For more information, visit our website at www.durhamcollege.ca, or call 905.721.2000.
For more information, please contact:
Tania Henvey
Communications and Marketing
905.721.3111 ext. 2513
tania.henvey@durhamcollege.ca
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