Tallahassee Fights Against Leukemia & Lymphoma with Tapas

LLS supporters sat down and enjoyed their delicious meal.
Photos by Mahoganie Reckley

By Mahoganie Reckley
Outlook Writer

As supporters and volunteers of the Leukemia andLymphoma Society (LLS) walked into Madison Social they were greeted by a smorgasbord of delectable Hispanic inspired cuisine. The night of Oct.29 was filled with food, fun, and laughs as guests showed their support for the fight against Leukemia and Lymphoma.

 
This event was one of many to raise awareness and funds for LLS’s Light the Night walk, which will be held on Thursday, Nov. 19 at 5:30 p.m. at Florida State University’s (FSU) Doak Campbell Stadium.

 
Paula Kiger, a volunteer with LLS tries to take part in any event that brings awareness to the cause of Leukemia & Lymphoma because it strikes a chord close to home.

 
“I got involved with this event because I have a friend with multi-Lymphoma. It’s very personal to me. I want her to live to see her young children at graduation and have lives of their own,” said Kiger. “And these funds will help provide research, a cure, and support to all people with blood cancer.”

 
The Hispanic style social gathering, which included a sampling of different varieties of drinks and a table of tapas, gave the supporters and volunteers a chance to get to know one another. The atmosphere was a mix of Hispanic social dining meets southern hospitality with a table of smoky red pepper hummus, short rib tacos, shrimp lettuce wraps and mussels. Served with your choice of non-alcoholic drinks or bottles of tequila such as El Jimador Reposado, Avion Silver and Herradura Anejo to drink. As guests indulged in the tapas and drinks they had a living reminder as to why finding a cure for these horrendous diseases is important.

 
Justin Karph, a three-year survivor of Lymphoma sat at the table spending time with some of the people that made it possible for him to be here today.

 
“I felt pretty normal. I just felt a little sore underneath my arm, so at that time I had a routine checkup. They felt it was swollen so they prescribed me anti-biotics for a week because my white blood cell count was really high,” said Karph. “So when I went back about a week later my blood count was still really high. They did a scan and that became a biopsy and within a week or two; I was diagnosed with Lymphoma, just a couple days before my 21st birthday.”

 
This event was another shining example of LLS living up to its mission to find a cure for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma. Also, to improve the quality of life of patients and their families. While it provides free information and support services to people around the world.

 
Lyanne Frost-Madden, a supporter of LLS understands that help is help, no matter what form it’s given in and that anything people can do to support this worthy cause is appreciated.

 
“It doesn’t matter how small your contribution is. Just as long as you show support and spread awareness for things like this you are doing your part,” said Frost-Madden.
More information about the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and events such as these can be found at https://www.lls.org/