Chronic Myeloid Leukemia—how could this happen? He was healthy, active, and young. Sure, there were slight symptoms, but his last visit to the doctor didn’t show signs. Then came the white blood cell count. A typical patient has anywhere from 7,000 to 11,000 white blood cells, and 25-year-old Adrian Avila was sitting at about 300,000. As he stepped out of the room, Adrian came face to face with children who were experiencing similar news, but much earlier in their lives. What struck him were the smiles on their faces, their determination and grit at such a young age, and their joy. As he thought about his own 8-year-old daughter, it was at that moment that Avila decided he wouldn’t let this diagnosis be his crutch or hold him back. This was the beginning of Adrian Avila’s journey with blood cancer.
Hope, loss, survival, and support—it’s not if, it’s when. Blood cancer has either impacted us as individuals, is impacting someone dear to us, or will at some point in our lifetime. For patients like Avila, Blood Cancer United is there when support matters most.
Blood Cancer United is on a mission to cure blood cancer and improve the quality of life for current patients. Their team is an advocate for affordable care and funds lifesaving research for those who have no idea that they will someday experience blood cancer, like Avila. During Avila’s first treatment plan, his body wasn’t responding well, and the cancer wasn’t ceasing; thanks to the research and funding from Blood Cancer United, Avila now takes oral chemotherapy that has decreased his cancer markers. Now, ten years after his diagnosis, he’s chasing after his five kids and experiencing their passions in life, together as a family. When Avila was first diagnosed, the survival rate for leukemia was about 20%. Today, it’s closer to 70%—a powerful reminder of how far treatment and research has come thanks to organizations like Blood Cancer United.
You’re invited to make an impact, and everyone is welcome.
As area director at Blood Cancer United since 2017, Molly Swain knows the impact of Boise’s annual Light The Night event within the Treasure Valley. For 20 years, Light The Night has shown the extraordinary impact of a community united by hope, support, and purpose. Swain and Avila both remind the community that everyone has a cancer story, and the more we talk about it, the more we realize how connected we all are to this cause.
Swain shared that Light The Night is more than a walk, it’s everyone coming together for something much larger than themselves. “Light the Night represents hope, hope for people who have been impacted and hope for the people who are going to be impacted that haven’t yet…the money we raise and the awareness is paying it forward to the patient who will be hearing this diagnosis—Light The Night is our community saying we’re here with you, we’re with our patients, and if you’ve lost someone, you feel less alone in your grief,” she said.
Whether you’re telling a friend, a co-worker, or a complete stranger about Light The Night, the awareness matters.
For patients like Avila, life doesn’t pause after a diagnosis—they continue to be parents, friends, professionals, and loved ones while battling blood cancer. Here are the three things Avila wants you to know:
- Be proactive with your health. Get the check-up, the routine blood work, and establish a relationship with a medical provider. Prevention and catching cancer early is key.
- There is hope; we hear the word “cancer” and naturally assume the worst. Avila is a testament to the gift of treatment that has come a long way thanks to Blood Cancer United. There is a whole community ready to support those experiencing blood cancer within the Treasure Valley and beyond.
- Blood Cancer United is life changing, and your donations matter. Show up for Light The Night, get involved, donate if you can, and most importantly, spread the word. The more awareness is raised, the more we can support those who need it most.
Businesses and corporations also play a vital role in making Light The Night possible, and there are several ways to get involved. Companies can form a team and rally employees to walk together, sponsor the event to help fund research and patient support programs, or match employee donations to amplify their impact. Many local businesses also choose to serve on the planning committee or donate goods and services to the event itself. Whether it’s a small business rallying a handful of employees or a larger corporation sponsoring the event outright, every contribution helps fund lifesaving research and support for patients like Avila. To learn more about corporate sponsorship or team registration, businesses can reach out through www.lightthenight.org.
Light The Night takes place at 6 p.m. on October 15th at Julius M. Kleiner Memorial Park in Meridian, ID. Anyone can attend Light The Night by registering online at www.lightthenight.org.
Avila is Blood Cancer United’s Honored Hero from within the Boise community, and you’ll be hearing more about his journey during the opening ceremony. Then, lanterns are lit, and as a Boise community, we walk a mile together. The lantern colors hold significance. Gold is for someone we have lost. White is for patients or survivors. Red is for those who are in support of the mission.
You are invited to hear Avila’s powerful message this October, and support people dear to you and those you never would have otherwise met. Come walk with us, share in Avila’s hope, and light a lantern.