We went to Freedom Plaza for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Light the Night walk to end blood cancers. The inspiring walks bring together communities in nearly 200 cities throughout North America. Walkers hold different color lanterns each signifying their connection to the cause: red for supporters, gold for those walking in memory of a loved one, and white for survivors and patients.

Community and corporate teams who worked together to raise funds congregated in white tents along the plaza. Top corporate sponsors included BDO, Washington Gas, and Burlington. The Accenture national team raised almost $30,000 for the cause; we snapped its reps Ben Campione, Lainey Howard, Ibrahim Zafar, Sri Gulukota,and Kelsey Boone.

The LLS Light The Night Walk funds treatments that are saving the lives of patients today. Here, Ernst & Young’s Megan Ettus, Josh Fruscello, Devin Weiss, Frans de Groen and Chris Ruckert.

Good vibes and smiles themed the evening while guests of all ages walked and then danced to local cover band Back to Zero. Here, NPL’s Kevin Bullion, Marc Porterfield, Erik McLeish, and Washington Gas’ Brendan Gamble.

Liz Ovits, Merjan Bubernack, and Libba McKinsey contributed to this issue.