ROCKVILLE, Md. – Two thousand people lit up the Rockville Town Square on Saturday night to raise money for those fighting cancer.
The “Light the Night” event was one of three for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s National Capital Area Chapter. Two more will take place later in October.
Participants carried lighted red, white or gold balloons – gold representing those who lost their battle with a blood cancer.
One family, Kristen and Brett Smith of Rockville, along with 4-year-old Brook and 7-year-old Carson, carried four gold balloons in memory of “Pop,” who died only weeks ago from lymphoma.
“I think that he would have liked all the entertainment here,” says Kristen. The family agreed he would have especially enjoyed the Batman car.
Five-year-old leukemia survivor Rett Bush of Germantown is one of the “Honored Heroes” for 2012.
“My name is Rett and I’m a cancer warrior and thank-you for your hard work and have a good evening,” he said the a cheering crowd.
The event was a volunteer operation, including the band that played all evening Saturday.
The next Light the Night Walk will take place on Saturday at Freedom Plaza in D.C., followed by an Oct. 20 event at Reston Town Center.
Find more information here.
WTOP’s Bob Madigan contributed to this report. Follow WTOP on Twitter.
(Copyright 2012 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)