One family's experience highlights focus of Light the Night Walk

Each weekend thousands of people take to the streets of our communities, walking and running to raise money for charities. Every one of them has found a cause to believe in, a bit of hope through helping. And every one of them has a reason for being there.

Today, Amy Hausman of Naperville describes how her family will participate in the Light the Night Walk on Saturday, Sept. 25, to support the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in much the same way a stuffed bear stood by her daughter, Katie, as she survived leukemia treatments.

More than six years ago, on March 17, 2004, my daughter, Katie, was officially diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia, or ALL. On that day, our family was thrust into the cancer world.

Katie was 19 months old and wanted as much of home as possible with her when we went to the University of Chicago Children's Hospital. We didn't know how long we'd be there, so Katie carried her four beloved stuffed animals with her to the hospital: Green Bear, Paz the Penguin, Grey Kitty and Duck. We weren't sure what the road ahead was going to look like, but Katie had all her furry friends with her to keep her company and give her a piece of home. I still remember that the stack of stuffed animals she had to have with her was as big as she was.

Green Bear (her favorite, also known as Bear) stood by Katie through all her chemo treatments. He was with her on every long car ride to the clinic. He got tucked under her arm when she walked in and out of the clinic. Doctors listened to Bear's heart at every checkup. Everyone asked Katie how Bear was feeling. For every hospital visit, Bear was the first item she made sure got packed. Bear is Katie's security blanket.

Bear carries as many scars of these visits as Katie does. A dark spot on his leg is where a Band-Aid placed there many years ago still leaves some evidence of its application. His green-tipped ears and feet and the bow around his neck are now a very faded, a barely noticeable shade of green, almost making you wonder why he's called Green Bear. The rest of him is a lot less plump and fluffy than he used to be. But, he's still Katie's little buddy - through thick and thin, good times and bad.

Fast forward to today. Katie is a happy, healthy 8-year-old who loves school, sports, crafts and her stuffed animals. Every so often (just recently down to twice a year) the "normal" routine of Katie's days is interrupted by a necessary oncologist visit for a physical and blood work. Katie still carries Green Bear with her to these appointments. He still gets as much attention as he used to. And he gets as many hugs and squeezes from Katie as he used to.

Bear doesn't look much like he did back in 2004. Neither does Katie. Bear's a bit worn around the edges. Katie's a lot taller and has a thick head of hair now. Bear looks a lot smaller now that Katie's a lot bigger. But he's still loved as much - if not more - than when she first entered the University of Chicago Children's Hospital for leukemia treatment more than six years ago.

Just like Bear has stuck by Katie, our family has stuck with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society - raising awareness, support and funds for the organization until there is a cure found for blood cancers. Our team, Katie's Cheerleaders, has participated in the Light the Night Walk since 2004, making this our seventh walk.

We ask that you consider supporting this important organization with a donation of any size to fund research, education, patient services and resources for blood cancer patients and their families. You can donate securely to our team at tinyurl.com/KCTeam2010, or visit lightthenight.org/il/ for information about the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and the walks in Illinois. Every penny gets us closer to finding a cure.