Kent family to walk in memory of Cindy, and support cause

When Cindy Whidby was only 21 years old, she received a heartbreaking diagnosis.

In March 1998 she was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia. Seven months later, Whidby lost her young life.

Fifteen 15 years later, the Whidby family of Kent has connected with a local event and worthy cause – the South Sound Light the Night Walk, a benefit for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) on Saturday, Sept. 21 at Tacoma’s Ruston Way Waterfront.

For the Whidbys, the walk honors and keeps Cindy’s memory alive

“It’s important. We get a chance to remember those we lost and honor those who are fighting,” said Kristl Whidby, 29, Cindy’s sister-in-law and an Auburn Riverside High School graduate. “This is important for our family and for others still fighting the disease.

“Cindy is always in our hearts and in our minds. She’s still very much a part of us,” Kristl Whidby said. “She’s not here physically, but she is in our hearts.”

Kristl Whidby joins family, friends and other supporters on Team SOLE (She Only Left Earth) for the 7 p.m. walk. A remembrance ceremony begins at 5 p.m.

The Light The Night Walk supports the LLS mission to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Money raised goes to funding treatments that are saving the lives of cancer patients by providing patient support services, advocacy for lifesaving treatments and the most promising cancer research.

By luck of finding a flyer on the benefit walk, Kristl Whidby was inspired to get her husband’s family on-board in 2009. They utilized the walk as an opportunity to honor Cindy publicly, as well as to maintain a strong connection to her with every step they take. Their team started off as four, Kristl and her husband Steven, along with his parents, Roy and Cathy. Since then, the team has tripled in size of family members and friends. Team SOLE is about 20 strong today.

For fundraising, the team has come together in Kent for various events, including local car washes. Most recently the team has been selling cancer bracelets outside the South Hill Walmart, and has raised more than $1,000. This will be the family’s second time participating in the walk, a tradition they hope to continue for years to come.

In its 13th year, Tacoma Light the Night Walks are filled with inspiration. During the leisurely walk, participants carry illuminated balloons – white for survivors, red for supporters and gold in memory of loved ones lost to cancer. Thousands of walkers – men, women, children and dogs alike – form a special community as they shed light on the dark world of cancer. The community celebration includes music, live entertainment and food.

Over the last 13 years, local Light The Night participants have raised nearly $700,000 for blood cancer research and patient services.

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Benefit walk

South Sound Light The Night: 7 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 21, Ruston Way Waterfront, 2317 Ruston Way, Tacoma (5 p.m. remembrance ceremony; 5:30 p.m. check-in and festivities). The Seattle Light The Night Walk is Sept. 28 at Green Lake Park, 7201 E. Green Lake Drive N., same time schedule.

For registration and more information, visit www.lightthenight.org/register.