RENO, NEV. – August 23, 2024 - Volunteers with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) held a ‘Lights of Hope’ tribute to honor Nevadans affected by cancer, Friday evening. The powerful display, hosted at the Believe Sculpture, included dozens of lit bags, each representing Nevadans who are cancer survivors, caregivers, or have lost their life to the disease.
“Each year, Lights of Hope serves as a reminder to local and federal lawmakers that we need their help in ending cancer, as we know it, for everyone,” said Todd Landaburu, Reno resident, ACS CAN volunteer, and cancer survivor. “I know firsthand how a diagnosis can change your life, that’s why I’m giving back and trying to raise awareness. It’s crucial our lawmakers support and implement policies that ensure everyone has a fair and just opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer.”
In September 2022, Landaburu was diagnosed with stage IV metastatic squamous cell carcinoma by a Reno-based Ear, Nose, and Throat doctor. He received his treatment at the Stanford Cancer Center in California. Following a 10-hour surgery to remove the cancer, Landaburu underwent six weeks of chemotherapy and radiation treatments.
“In my darkest days, during treatment and the three agonizing months that followed, I began searching for cancer organizations,” Landaburu said. “After my diagnosis, I vowed to live a life of doing everything in my power to help people neither feel, nor experience what I felt. ACS CAN has allowed me to be a proponent in helping ensure our legislators have the information they need to help support cancer initiatives in Congress and at the state level”
According to the American Cancer Society’s annual Cancer Facts and Figures report, more than 18,000 Nevadans are expected to be diagnosed with cancer this year and nearly 5,500 people are expected to die from the disease. Cancer also remains the second-leading cause of death in the state, according to the Center for Disease Control.
Lights of Hope is ACS CAN’s signature fundraiser. Money raised from the event in Reno on Friday will go directly towards the organization’s mission of reducing the cancer burden for everyone through funding research and advocating for evidence-based public policies that aid in the fight against cancer.
Bags from the display is Reno will also be included in the National Lights of Hope tribute happening in Washington, D.C. in September. The event will feature tens-of-thousands lit bags on display near the Washington Monument at the Constitution Gardens. Nearly a dozen volunteers will travel to D.C., as well, to represent Nevada at ACS CAN’s Leadership Summit and Lobby Day. Volunteers plan to meet with the state’s congressional delegation and discuss policies that would help cancer patients and survivors.