Annual Light the Night cancer walk in Bayside

Carrie Cliggett likes to give up her free time to fundraising walks for special causes. However, Light the Night, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's annual walk to honor all those touched by blood cancer she participated in last October, was very special for her.
It was in memory of one of her best friends, Karen Elizabeth Rachoi.
&#8220This one is different because now I have a direct reason; it's actually for my friend,” said Cliggett, the captain of Our Dear Friend Karen Team, whose 47 members raised $12,590 last year to fund patient service programs and blood cancer research.
&#8220The ones [fundraising walks] held during the day are just rushed,” she continued. &#8220This one wasn't. We all sat around and talked about Karen who would have been 35 this year. We just chose the walk because we like where it is, on the water. She loved the water. We just thought it would be appropriate to walk on the water.”
This year is especially important to Rachoi's friends and family because her mother, Jerry, is battling the same form of leukemia that her daughter had and is currently waiting for a bone marrow transplant.
&#8220I find it ironic that the walk has fallen on the anniversary of Karen's death,” Cliggett said. &#8220I am taking it as a sign that she knows what we have all done and continue to do to help those suffering from blood cancer.”
Cliggett was amazed at the number of people who came last year to celebrate her dear friend's memory, even former customers at Rachoi's hair salon whom she may have met just once or twice.
&#8220She wasn't a CEO. She was a hair dresser. She didn't save the world. She was just friendly and kind, very simple and she made people smile.”
On Friday, October 6, thousands of similar stories will be relived throughout the nation. Walkers will carry illuminated balloons - red for supporters and white for survivors - to &#8220Light the Night” in honor of all those touched by blood cancer.
The walk will take place locally in Bayside along the Cross Island Parkway and will raise awareness of the fight against leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma and Hodgkin's disease.
&#8220There must be a reason for Karen's suffering and for her tragic and untimely death,” Cliggett said. &#8220This is our call to action to help all those suffering from this terrible disease.”
The walk is for all levels of fitness and includes entertainment, food and prizes. Last year, the event raised more than $200,000 that helped New York City push their numbers to close to $1.4 million. Additional walks were held on Staten Island and in Manhattan.
For more information about Light the Night, or to make a donation, visit www.lightthenight.org/nyc or for disease information visit www.lls.org or call 1-800-955-4572 toll free.
For those interested in forming a team, contact the New York City Chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society at 212-448-9206, Ext. 230 or visit www.lightthenight.org/nyc.