Kelly Hughes lost her best friend to a blood-related cancer on May 12.
In an effort to remember her friend, Hughes joined 2,500 other people Friday night in the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's "Light the Night" 2.5 mile walk around the Tempe Town Lake.
"It is important for me to be here because we were extremely close, and it hasn't been very long since she has passed," Hughes said. "Also, we're here to support the society because they were very good to her."
The society was only expecting around 1,300 participants, which was almost half of the actual turnout, at the chapter's fifth annual walk, according to Sue Regan, campaign coordinator for the Arizona chapter. This was the first year the walk was held at the Tempe Town Lake.
While the society wasn't sure if the goal was met, the society met its financial goals the past four years it had hosted the event. This year's goal was to raise more than $100,000.
"Part of the money goes to research," Regan said. "The society supports around 50 researchers nationwide and three in Arizona."
Money from the walk also goes to patient aide, which provides $500 a year to help those with disease who are not covered by insurance, she said.
Local businesses such as Sleep America and K-Lite 98.7 FM, helped sponsor the event.
Jim Scheidler, campaign manager for the society's Arizona chapter, said there wasn't a registration fee or a minimum requirement for fund-raising to participate in the walk.
Though, participants who raised $25 were given a balloon with a flickering light inside. Survivors of blood-related cancers carried white balloons, with supporters carrying red balloons, Scheidler said.
One of the walkers carrying a white balloon was Sue Henley, who lost her 12-year-old son seven years ago to leukemia. She said even though this is her first walk for the society, she thinks this will become a yearly event for her.
"I'm having fun being here," Henley said. "I really like being outside, and the crowd is really nice. It's very well organized and it's great to get together for a good cause."
Henley was part of a group of eight who raised $1,145 in donations to the society as a tribute to her son.
She added that her daughter, who was 10 years old at the time of her son's death, was the one who helped her move on.
"People should know that you can continue after you lose a child," Henley said. "I know that my daughter is what helped me get through it. I had to be there for her."
Reach the reporter at susan.padilla@asu.edu.
