Ryan's 1st Light the Night Walk
Ryan McLaughlin was an adventurous 11-year-old when he began his battle with t-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, an uncommon form of leukemia. By that young age, it was already clear that he had curiosity and ingenuity well beyond his years. Ryan was an honor student with a keen interest in science.  He was intrigued by how things worked, especially rockets, aircrafts, computers, and even all of the equipment that was used in his cancer treatment.  He enjoyed lacrosse, ice and roller hockey, and baseball (games with sticks), and was eager to return to these sports after remitting the cancer.

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 had to leave for college, so 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 will begin this year with a new fundraiser.  On Feb. 15 and 16 at Robert Frost Middle School they will be performing the musical Pippin with all proceeds benefiting the L&LS.  This musical, starring members of the Young Hearts team, is being directed by W. T. Woodson senior and Young Hearts committee member, Matt Savoca.  

2009    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.  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.  

This year our team was invaded once again by this dreadful disease.  One of our original Young Hearts has relapsed with leukemia after being in remission for nine years.  David McIntyre, now 14 years old, finds himself battling leukemia for a second time. 

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.