JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — This month, the Action News team is raising money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's annual Light the Night walk.
It's an organization I personally decided to get involved with after my dad, Bob Wolski, was recently diagnosed with cancer.
In September, after experiencing shortness of breath and other unusual symptoms, he went for some blood tests that would change his life. At age 53, doctors informed our family my dad has leukemia.
Sadly, several types of cancer run in our family, but leukemia came as a shock. I knew very little about the blood cancer but learned my dad's form is called acute myeloid leukemia.
My dad spent nearly two months at Johns Hopkins Hospital, in Baltimore, and just last week, after undergoing aggressive chemotherapy, he was able to go home.
My dad's journey inspired me to get involved with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and the Light the Night Walk here in Jacksonville.
Through the organization, I met an inspiring local family who is using its journey with leukemia to help others."Super Luke," as he is known to family and friends, is an adorable preschooler and a bundle of energy, and at just 4 years old, he is in cancer remission.
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Luke Bond's cancer story started in August 2013 when a high fever and a trip to an emergency room changed his family forever.
"They had to give him a blood transfusion right away, because his numbers were so low, they weren't conducive for life very long," said Stephen Bond, Luke's father.
Just 3 years old at the time, Luke was diagnosed with an adult form of leukemia.
"That was the last thing we thought was wrong with him," Stephen Bond said. "When we heard the word 'leukemia,' we just fell out. And I just kept saying, 'No, no, no. This is not happening.'"
But what at first seemed an impossible challenge, Stephen and Kristen Bond now call a blessing. Their child's bravery is now helping others through LLS.
"God's using Luke to help many, many people," Stephen Bond said.
On Nov. 6, Luke will be the honored hero of the LLS Light the Night Walk, which raises money for cancer research and helps local patients.
"Seventy-eight cents of every dollar that is raised by our participants goes back to our mission," said Wendy Viciana, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society spokesperson.
Next week, the Bonds will be walking for Luke, and I'll be walking for my dad. We'll also be walking for all the other families who have fought or are fighting blood cancers.
The reality of cancer is not everyone will win the battle. For the Bond family, that has been the hardest part.
"You gain this big humongous family of extended people in the cancer world, and then you end up losing some," said Kristen Bond.
That's why raising money for cancer research is so important and why I hope you'll make a donation to this year's Light the Night Walk. It doesn't need to be a lot. Every dollar helps! Click here to donate to the Light the Night Walk.
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