Thousands gathered Oct. 17 at Freedom Plaza in Northwest D.C. for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s annual fundraiser, Light the Night Walk. Beneath a blanket of stars, the crowd raised brightly lit lanterns of white, read and gold symbolizing the survivors, the patients and the victims of Leukemia and Lymphoma. Among the sea of faces stood Mertine Brown, 62, of Prince George’s County. With her white lantern raised high into the night sky, Brown beamed joyously as she walked the 3-mile path through the heart of the city, and as she walked, she reflected on her own battle years ago with Leukemia.