Camden woman is Honored Hero for Light the Night Walk Thursday

Sandy Prendergast of Camden is the Honored Hero for this year's Light the Night Walk for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Indiana. The event will be held Sept. 14, starting at 7 p.m. at Reihle Plaza in downtown Lafayette.

The annual event is held to raise awareness and funds to cure leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.

Prendergast is a survivor of Lymphoma, a blood cancer, and has been in remission for four years.

"Because of donations made to this group, my treatments were not devastating for me," said Prendergast. "Research is why this was possible. I am also a life-long resident of Carroll County and of Camden and really want my home area to see how much this Society has helped our residents. There are others out

there like me who have been helped and are survivors. This group is one of a few that helps patients financially and that can mean more to some than any pill or treatment."

Prendergast is also part of a team, all having had Lymphoma. Their team name is the Lymphomaniacs. They said they are all thankful for all that has been done so that they can do this event, but there isn't a cure yet for most of them, just remission. They are fighting for a cure.

Along with the walk, the Society of Oncology Nurses will be giving out their Patient of the Year Award.

Anyone who would like to make a donation to support Prendergast's participation in the Light The Night Walk may do so by logging on to www.lls.org. Go to "How to Help," then "Participate in Events," then "Search for a Participant." Type in her name.