Ohio State nurses shine in support of blood cancer patients by teaming up with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Ohio State nurses are teaming with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) to light the way toward a future without blood cancers.
Once again in 2021, OSUCCC – James nurses participated in the LLS’ Light The Night campaign, a fundraising campaign that supports blood cancer care, research, education and assistance. Health care professionals join teams across the U.S. to take part each year, eventually gathering with other supporters in their respective cities to hold lanterns and celebrate their patients.
“The mission of the LLS aligns with mine as a nurse — to better patients’ lives through education, financial support, advocacy and research.” says Andrea Palka a nurse program manager for CancerBridge who also works with The James nursing resources and serves as co-captain of The James Warriors, the OSUCCC – James team. “Light The Night, specifically, has always been a special event to me as a former blood cancer nurse. It has been a time of pause, reflection, remembrance and celebration of the patients I have met throughout my career.”
As a designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, The James is a natural fit for the campaign’s funds, with researchers at work every day to improve blood cancer treatment.
“Many of the dollars raised through fundraising events like Light The Night support research at The James,” Palka says. “LLS-funded clinical trials such as Beat AML are impacting the way we treat patients with blood cancers.”
Award-winning warrior
While all of The James Warriors are superstars of nursing, one member stands out in 2021.
Taylor McInturf, a nurse in The James’ medical intensive care unit, won this year’s Light The Night Executive & Young Professional Challenge, awarded each year to an emerging leader in the Columbus area who goes above and beyond during the eight-week campaign.
“I was surprised. I just shared my story with people and why this organization was so important to me — I did not know that so many people would come together to donate,” McInturf says of the honor. “I was very humbled that people were willing to step up and help bring awareness to the fight to end blood cancers.”
For McInturf, who first became involved with Light The Night because of her work with blood cancer patients at The James, her connection to the effort has grown stronger because of a family bond.
“My brother was diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia in May of this year,” she says. “I felt that I needed to get involved to not only honor the patients that I have cared for, but for my brother as well.”
Lighting the way forward
Light the Night is deeply personal for The James Warriors, whose relationships with patients and colleagues make blood cancer care and research a calling as well as a career.
“The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is able to provide treatment outlets for patients that may not have had many options before in the form of grants, education and support,” McInturf says. “It is awesome to see money raised by the LLS coming back to The James and seeing first-hand patients being able to directly benefit.”
The campaign also connects the nurses with others who share their passion for the work to create a world without blood cancer.
“Through my volunteer experience, I have met some of the most amazing community leaders and cancer survivors who are dedicating to finding an end to blood cancer,” Palka says.
In addition to the funds raised, the event also gives nurses the opportunity to brighten the days — and nights — of their current patients, while remembering others whom they’ve cared for at The James.
“I believe that it’s always time to shine light on and honor those who are survivors and current patients, or those who may be in our hearts,” McInturf says. “Blood cancer treatment can be long and grueling, and especially during a pandemic, can be very isolating. Light The Night shows patients that they are not alone.”