ST LOUIS —Coy Reeves has worked with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society since 2019.
“I was fortunate enough to get involved with Leukemia and Lymphoma Society because I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2019. So, a friend who was also diagnosed, mentioned ‘Light the Night’ to me and came down to visit and I got involved with LLS and saw their fundraising efforts they had and how impactful it was around the St. Louis area.” Coy Reeves said.
Reeves is now one of the executive challenge chairs for the yearly Light the Night Walk in honor of that friend, Kristina Mitchell, who passed away in 2021. Reeves carries the torch for Kristina.
Reeves told us one of his favorite parts of working with LLS, “my favorite things about being involved are just seeing the impact and the things it does to the people around the area. Seeing the different stories and learning how new advancements come out of cancer research from LLS.”
This year Reeves raised $16,365 for Kristina by walking, hoping that every dollar raised could help support warriors like Kristina.
Reeves is not the only one who raises money in memory of someone they lost to blood-related cancer. Katelynn Barnett goes to Light the Night when she can to honor the memory of a loved one. Barnett said, “I am here walking in remembrance of my grandmother, my mom’s mom, who passed away from Lymphoma.”
The night not only raised money for research and support, it also filled Forest Park with lit-up lanterns. A white lantern for anyone who has been diagnosed with blood cancer, yellow for those who have lost someone to blood cancer, and red for those there to support the cause.
In total, the event this year raised $813,362 to help fund research into blood cancers as well as help provide advocacy and support for blood cancer patients and their families.
Make sure to look out for Light the Night next year and help LLS and Reeves raise money for people suffering from Leukemia and Lymphoma.
