Ever wonder how a student could support those who are facing difficult times? The answer this year may lie in front of the Washburn Community. The Washburn Education Association has decided to be the ringleaders for the national Light the Night Walk.

Light the Night Walk is an annual Society event to raise money for blood cancers such as leukemia, myeloma and lymphoma. The walk will take place Saturday, Sept. 29, with a pre-walk party starting at 6 p.m. followed by the actual walk at 7:45. The two mile walk takes place here on campus. All walkers are asked to bring a $25 donation, which will be put directly toward funding researches that are searching for therapies and, most importantly, a cure.

Beth Dale, president of the Washburn Education Association, decided to partake in this year’s Light the Night Walk by being the WEA’s team captain. She not only desired to volunteer but she also had personal desires to walk.

“My aunt had leukemia when I was a kid. It was tough,” said Dale. “I mainly wanted to get involved for that reason and mainly because this is a disease that has a very high rate in children.”

There are also incentives for the teams around the nation who raise the most money. The eight fundraising levels range from $100 to $10,000. Every participating member receives a T-shirt but some of the other prizes include a digital camera, wireless headphones, a $500 Society e-Store gift card or a digital picture frame, just to name a few.

Dale feels people should have many reasons to participate whether personal, or just on a volunteer basis but mainly because it is a step the Washburn community can take together.

“It is a good cause, obviously, but it is also a small step we can take toward helping those who are suffering,” said Dale.

All interested individuals are encouraged to join the WEA team by going to www.lightthenight.org. They may click on “Register” at the top right hand corner of the page, and then follow the instructions to join. Any person can also walk as an individual.

Prizes for fundraising amounts:$100 Light the Night T-shirt

$200-$299 Light the Night Sweatshirt

$300-$499 Cordless phone, CD/radio shelf system or $25 Society e-Store gift card

$500-$999 Digital photo printer, 2 GB flash drive or $50 Society e-Store gift card

$1,000-$2,499 DVD/VHS player, digital picture frame or $75 Society e-Store gift card

$2,500-$4,999 five disc DVD changer, wireless headphones or $150 society e-Store gift card

$5,000-$9,999 Zune MP3, digital camera or $250 society e-Store gift card

$10,000+ eMachine Minitower, Tom Tom GPS or $500 Society e-Store Gift Card