The first DC Light the Night Walk took place September 18, 1999, Ryan's 13th birthday. He almost managed to walk the entire route, alongside his parents and sisters, carrying a white "survivor's" balloon. 

First diagnosed in July 1998, Ryan and his doctors put the disease into remission three times. But the last of these left his immune system without the ability to resist infection, and Ryan died in December 1999 at the age of 13. 

Ryan left behind a heartbroken, but strong, family: his two parents: Mike and Prince, and three sisters: Sarah, Mary, and Regan.

Keep Fighting :: The Young Hearts are Created

2000    Ryan's older sister, Sarah, 16, was grieving the loss of her younger brother and biggest fan and devastated that she could no longer help Ryan fight the cancer.  But when encouraged to participate in the Light the Night Walk, she realized that she could still fight for others affected by such illnesses. She and friend, Julia Tedesco, created a team they named the "Young Hearts," and set a goal of $1,000.  They were astonished when it turned out that they had raised more than $4,000 to fight leukemia and lymphoma. This was extremely exciting for a team of elementary, middle and high school students. Combined with the money raised by the first Ryan McLaughlin Memorial Golf Tournament, our community was able to donate over $10,000 to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

2001    Sarah led the Young Hearts again, encouraged and inspired by the passion and support of these very capable young people. The team raised money by writing letters, selling and delivering bagels, having car washes, and selling chances to win pizza by making foul shots during halftime at a local high school's basketball game. Team membership soared, and the 2001 Young Hearts raised over $18,000. In August, representing the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Sarah was invited to the White House to meet President Bush and Lance Armstrong.

2002    Sarah leaves for college, and Andy Beck, a good friend of Ryan's since kindergarten, offered to take the lead of the Young Hearts. He challenged the individual team members to raise $250 each.  The average individual funds raised easily surpassed this goal.

2003    Andy, then a high school senior, invited a co-captain, Mary McLaughlin, Ryan's younger sister and a high school sophomore at the time.

2004    Mary and another classmate and friend of Ryan, senior Alli Foroobar, led the team.  Silver Diner Nights, bake sales and yard sales became a staple of fun fundraising events added during this time.

2005-6 After Alli left for college, Regan McLaughlin, an eighth grade student joined her sister as a team captain in 2005 and the two worked together again in 2006. During these years the team added a Battle of the Bands competition as another successful teen oriented fundraiser. Due to the size and the scope of this team, a committee of team members was formed to help coordinate the various fundraising efforts.  The team was honored to be invited on stage to sing the National Anthem at the opening of the 2006 Light the Night Walk in D. C.

2007    Mary leaves for college.  Regan has the help of Margaret Gertzog, a WTW senior and sister of one of Ryan's best friends, to guide the 2007 Young Hearts team.

2008    The team poured their energy and talents into a new fundraiser, Pippin.   This musical, starring members of the Young Hearts team, was directed by W. T. Woodson senior and Young Hearts committee member, Matt Savoca. The Young Hearts were the recipients of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Chairman's Citation Award. The team raised a record $50,000 for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Light the Night Walk.  

2009    Once again the team will perform a musical as a fundraiser for the L&LS.  This year's production, A Year With Frog and Toad is being directed by W. T. Woodson junior, Mia Savoca.  This will be the tenth anniversary of the Young Hearts participation in the D. C. Light the Night Walk and Regan's last year to be one of the leaders of the team.  We hope to go out big!  We invite all Young Hearts, past and present to join us at The Walk on Oct. 17, 2009. The team is working on plans with Paul Mitchell The School to do a group donation to Locks of Love. 

The success of the Young Hearts lies with the many young team members who volunteer their time and energy in support of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's mission.  Our young volunteers are mostly high school and middle school students as well as a few elementary school age students.  Some of the team members knew Ryan or know Ryan's family, and their support is always appreciated.  Some team members have been touched by cancer and know all too well the heartache it can cause. Inspirational are the students who have no connection to cancer, who just want to help those in need.  A day spent with these teenagers restores faith that our future is in good hands.

Each year the Young Hearts have been one of the top fundraising teams in the metropolitan area.  Each year, we've grown a little stronger, a little bigger and more determined than the year before.  Though the team has much fun together, we never forget the purpose behind what we do.  We can't forget.

In 2005, we lost another young neighbor and friend, Cameron McClain, to an unusual form of leukemia.  Cameron was eight years old.  He also was a cherished member of our neighborhood community and an inspiration for the Young Hearts.  

In 2007 our team was invaded once again by this dreadful disease.  David McIntyre, one of our original Young Hearts, relapsed with leukemia after being in remission for nine years.  Though he bravely fought leukemia for a second time, we are deeply saddened that our 16 year old friend lost his battle on Nov. 19, 2008. 

We are told and we believe that much progress has been made in treating leukemia and other forms of childhood cancer.  But obviously there is much more that needs to be done and it cannot be done too soon.  The Young Hearts invite you to help in the search for a cure.  We encourage you to join our team or start your own.  Go to www.lightthenight.org to register.  Together we will make a difference.