DALLAS – North Texas’ most recognizable buildings will light up with a message of hope Saturday as part of a nationwide event remembering and honoring lives affected by cancer.
The evening of Saturday, Sept. 12, buildings along Dallas’ skyline and Fort Worth’s landmarks will glow yellow as part of the 10th annual American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) Lights of Hope celebration. The Dallas City Council declared Saturday as American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Lights of Hope Across America Day.
As a result of the pandemic, ACS CAN volunteers will not gather for the annual Lights of Hope ceremony at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., where tens of thousands of bags are decorated and adorned with the names of cancer survivors and those lost to this horrible disease. Instead, advocates will celebrate 10 years of hope at home on their front porches, kitchen tables and lawns as part of a larger virtual event.
“Lights of Hope sends an important message to lawmakers: They must play a critical role in the fight against cancer by making it a national priority,” ACS CAN President Lisa Lacasse said. “There’s no doubt this incredible display on the skyline makes it loud and clear that everyone has an opportunity help move our cancer mission forward. We really appreciate these businesses partnering with us to amplify our lifesaving work and commemorate the 10th anniversary of Lights of Hope.”
The following Dallas-area buildings celebrate Lights of Hope this weekend: the Omni Dallas Hotel, the AT&T Discovery District® located at AT&T headquarters, Bank of America Plaza, One Arts Plaza, and KPMG Plaza. Fort Worth will light up its skyline and landmarks throughout the city. McKesson Corporation in Irving will participate.
An estimated 129,770 Texans will receive a cancer diagnosis this year. ACS CAN, the advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society, works with lawmakers to pass policies that help prevent cancer and ensure those who are diagnosed with the disease have access to the care they need, as well as make cancer research funding a top priority at the state and federal level.
Texans advocating during virtual meetings with key legislators will ask them to support increased funding for cancer research and prevention programs with at least $44.7 billion for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), including $6.9 billion for cancer research at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and $559 million for the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) cancer programs.
All are encouraged to participate by dedicating a Light of Hope bag at fightcancer.org/lights. Buildings or companies wishing to join Saturday’s celebration should change external lighting to RGB code (255, 209, 79) or messaging the word “HOPE” via office windows.
WHAT: Lights of Hope Across America – Bringing Hope Home
WHEN: Sept. 12, 3 p.m. CT
WHERE: Watch the event live at fightcancer.org/lights
