I will be joining the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Light the Night event in North Vancouver on Saturday, October 19. The goal of the event is to bring light, love, and hope to dispel the darkness of blood cancers.
My dad was diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) when I was 22; it was a part of my relationship with my dad for almost half my life, for better and worse. For better because for us some great closeness came from quality time spent together when he was in the hospital. We made a great team...Julia and Pete vs. CLL. For worse, because it was CLL that ultimately shortened the time we had with him.
He lived with CLL for many years, working, travelling and living life to its fullest. He stepped in to the ring with it when needed, always with courage, curiosity, intelligence and fearlessness. He always came to his doctor's appointments with questions and suggestions, and a good sense of humour. I joked and called him "the world's oldest intern" as he essentially made himself both patient, and part of the medical team. He was a very brave cancer patient. We were also incredibly lucky to have been surrounded by amazing doctors and nurses through his whole journey. I like to think he made a mark on them, especially with his humour, and that they were truly invested in his wellbeing. It certainly felt that way.
He passed away on August 29, 2022 from complications related to CLL. It was the end of a long road, but a road I would have kept on walking as long as I could. I miss him every day.
My goal in participating in this event is to honour my dad through collecting donations in September (blood cancer awareness month, and also the month of my birthday), and through this night of remembrance put on by the LLS.
Thank you for supporting me in this.
