Random Acts of Light Day

On June 13th, Random Acts of Light Day encourages us to bring light to the darkness of cancer by surprising someone with an act of kindness.

As part of the Cancer and Leukemia Society's 'Light The Night Walks' fundraising campaign, Random Acts of Light Day is celebrated every year on June 13th. This day encourages us to do what we perform a random act of kindness to bring light into the life of someone who is suffering from cancer. People observe the day by volunteering at hospitals, reading about treatments and cures for blood cancer patients, or participating in the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Light The Night Walks to raise funds and raise awareness of leukemia and lymphoma. Random Acts of Light Day would like to create a kinder world for cancer patients and their families.

History of Random Acts of Light Day

Random Acts of Light Day was started by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS), the world's largest voluntary health body for blood cancer patients. On this day, observers hope to bring light to patients with blood cancers and other cancers. It's not uncommon to see celebrities show up at hospitals and volunteer centers to visit patients and blood cancer survivors and surprise them. However, you don't have to be a celebrity to observe Random Acts of Light Day. Anyone willing to do an act of kindness can join the Random Acts of Light Day!

Random Acts of Light Day was established to raise awareness and educate the public about blood cancer and its possible treatments. This is also the day to advocate for the need to fund research on blood cancer so that patients have access to treatments and live a more comfortable life. Blood cancer is the third most common cause of cancer death in the United States. The data shows that every 9 minutes a life is lost to blood cancer that's almost 160 deaths every day. About 1.3 million people in the United States have blood cancer. Do you know that there are three main types of blood cancer? They are leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma. Leukemia is a cancer of the blood and marrow, and it can be acute or chronic. Acute leukemia spreads quickly while chronic leukemia progresses at a slower rate. In fact, it is the most common cancer in people under 20 and over 60.

Some facts about cancer

• Smoking kills

Smoking causes 90% of lung cancers and has killed nearly 50 million people over the past decade.

• Cancer deaths are preventable

Researchers believe that more than half of all cancer deaths are preventable.

• The older are more susceptible to be cancer

About 77% of all cancers are diagnosed in people 55 and older.

• The most common form of cancer

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States - it affects more than two million people each year.

• Cancer can be inherited

It is estimated that 5–10% of all cancers are hereditary.

How to celebrate Random Acts of Light Day

• Surprise a patient in the hospital

Create a hospital patient a surprised thing by preparing them a delicious meal, flowers and a card. You can also visit them for a friendly chat.

• Plan a day out

Schedule a day for a blood cancer patient with a lot of interesting activities. If they're feeling well enough, you can take them to the movies, to a tournament, or even to visit a museum together.

• Donate to Leukemia and Lymphoma Society

The Leukemia and Blood Cancer Society works tirelessly to fund blood cancer research. You can make a donation to the organization or spend some times on doing volunteer.