With glowing red, gold and white lanterns, UFCW Canada Local 1000A marchers took to the streets of downtown Toronto, Ottawa and London to raise awareness and funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada.
While Local 1000A marchers walked in support of members, families and friends affected by these blood cancers, some also marched in support of Hailey Delaney, the four-year-old daughter of Local 1000A member and Kretschmar packer Maria Loares. Hailey is battling T-Cell Leukemia.
“The fight against Leukemia and Lymphoma is a cause very close to our hearts,” said President Pearl Sawyer, who participated in the Toronto walk. “We carry the hopes, struggles and prayers of those suffering with this deadly disease with us as we walk for a cure.”
With less than four weeks of planning, Local union members, activists, staff and officers raised more than $3,000 for our first ever Light the Night events and is aiming to raise even more next year."On behalf of Local 1000A, I want to thank our members, activists and staff for their incredible support of this very worthy cause," Sawyer said. "I am hopeful that each year, more participants will join the UFCW team at the various walks, as together, we are making a difference in lives of those affected by Leukemia and Lymphoma.”
Local 1000A activist Diana O’Brien helped organize the local union’s participation in the three Light the Night walks.“It was an emotional experience to walk with so many survivors, family members and supporters,” said O’Brien. “It was inspiring to see so many people coming together to raise awareness and help fund life-saving research.”
In Toronto, the walk began at Nathan Phillips Square, and passed by the Hospital for Sick Kids where children and family members flashed lights from the hospital windows in support of the marchers.
Local 1000A Recorder Glacier Samuel, who works at Oakville’s Real Canadian Superstore, brought her nine-year-old daughter with her to the Toronto event.
“Seeing all the gold and white lanterns was a real eye opener— it gave you more perspective on how many people are affected by this disease,” Glacier said.
Ian Stables, a Local 1000A activist from Brockville’s Real Canadian Superstore, was among those who participated in the Ottawa event.
“It was truly an amazing and moving experience to see all the lights and to know that so many people had come out for such a good cause,” Ian said.
Mary Joe Eaton, a Local 1000A activist, walked in the London event.
"It was nice to be there and know so many supporters were there to help find a cure," said Mary Joe. "It was also sad to see so many gold lanterns representing those who lost their fight with this illness but nice to feel their presence with us as we did the walk.”
