UPPER MACUNGIE, Pa. – On Saturday night, hundreds gathered in Macungie for an illness that people are diagnosed with every three minutes in the United States: blood cancer.
“A random food reaction and went to the allergist, she decided that she didn’t like what she saw,” cancer survivor Gina Althouse said.
Althouse says it’s necessary for everyone to be aware of the disease.
“It’s so emotional and uplifting because the research itself is what saved me,” she explained.
Hundreds gathered in Macungie to support survivors like Althouse. The team was hoping to raise around half a million dollars for cancer awareness during the event.
Jana Boyer, executive director of Blood Cancer United New Jersey, Lehigh Valley Region, explained the types of blood cancer people can be diagnosed with.
“Very young children can be diagnosed with all different types of blood cancers. Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia is commonly diagnosed in young children, but other types of blood cancers are diagnosed through all ages: leukemias, lymphomas, myeloma,” Boyer said.
“Unfortunately, there are dozens and dozens of different types of blood cancers that we’re still learning about every day,” she added.
Researchers have not yet determined the cause of blood cancer.
“A lot of our research now is focused on new therapies that are less toxic for patients so that they can complete their treatment and go on to live a long and happy life,” Boyer said.
Althouse explained why screenings are necessary.
“If your doctor says you might want to follow up because I don’t like what I see, do it because I mean, I feel like she basically saved my life,” she urged.
Supporters at Light the Night Walk in Upper Macungie Township raised red lanterns for support, yellow lanterns for remembrance, and white lanterns for survivorship.
“Early detection: if something’s not right, be your own advocate and trust the doctor,” Althouse said.
Heather Formica, a supporter who lost her younger brother to blood cancer when he was just a child, atended the event and spoke to 69 News about her experience wth the illness.
“Even just to hear those words, it’s an absolutely terrible thing, but then, to lose a loved one, for us, someone so young who hasn’t seen life or been able to do all those things that we all strive to do, it was devastating, but we promised him that we’ would continue in his fight,” Formica explained.
“He wanted to make sure that no one under the age of 11 would ever hear those words, ‘You have cancer, ’ and we promised him we’d keep fighting,” she added.
For more on the strategies, the symptoms, and how to donate, visit the event website.
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