The Leukaemia Foundation’s Light the Night attracted over 600 people to Cook Park and is estimated to have raised around $14,000 for the charity, which organisers said is the best turnout for the annual event since it began in Orange several years ago. 

The fundraising total surpasses organisers’ target of $10,000.

Organiser Olivia West said she was overjoyed at the event’s success, adding it was a “really lovely” night.

“A lot of people talked about how important it was to raise money for all cancers, but when you’re going through a specific cancer, it is great to raise money for that cancer,” Ms West said. 

“Lots of people with blood cancer came up to me and said how great it was to be able to talk to others who are going through the same thing.”

It is a cause close to her own heart, after her mother died 15 years ago from leukaemia and her father is now going through chemotherapy for the cancer.

Light the Night is held each year to remember those who have died of blood cancer and celebrate those living with the disease, as well as raise awareness and much-needed funds for the Leukaemia Foundation which looks after people with leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma and related blood disorders.

According to the charity, blood cancer claims more lives in Australia than breast cancer or melanoma, with more than 12,000 people being diagnosed this year.

People spent the evening learning about blood cancer and hearing stories of those with the disease, and as dusk settled, the hundreds of participants walked through the park with their lanterns aglow. 

Ms West said she was grateful to Orange’s community for supporting the event.

“I really wanted to thank people for coming out to support the event and the foundation. It’s great to see how many people care,” she said.

alexandra.king@fairfaxmedia.com.au