Darlene Martell

Darlene's Story

Keara's treatment, we were told, would be 2.5 years, which was certainly overwhelming to hear. She had a lot of hospitalizations that were planned. However, there were many that were not. There was one chemotherapy drug that caused a severe reaction. She ended up in the hospital for a month it was hard to get under it under control. The long treatment regime was challenging for our whole family.

Going through such an experience changed our lives dramatically. You don't sweat the small stuff anymore because in the big picture it doesn't mean that much. We live by a new normal. Everyday from sunrise to sundown is a gift.

I joined Light The Night because I wanted to give back. I knew one of my daughter's oncologists, Dr. Berman, was part of the research being done and the walk helps raise funds to ensure patients like my daughter are cured and can live a healthy life. We were actually in the hospital during the walk one year but my daughter was too sick to go to the windows to watch. The next year when she was feeling better, I knew we had to be a part of it.

To me Light The Night is celebrating everyone that has survived, those who are still fighting and remembering those who have passed. When you look around and see all of the red, white and gold lanterns held high in the night sky, it is simply amazing. So many people benefit from the society and the research that is being done. It’s overwhelming to see that many people participating. When they announce survivors and patients and those who have passed, or when you walk by the hospitals and see patients waving their lanterns from their windows, it’s hard not to get choked up.

Everyone should participate in Light The Night because it's going to be an emotional night, but it’s also going to be a fun and rewarding night and it is an experience that will last a lifetime.