Our Childhood Cancer Awareness Rally was a success! Tonight the Peace Tower was lit gold in honour of the many children who are fighting cancer, the survivors and the many children who are deeply missed.

It was beautiful and powerful and a truly amazing night. Many people came out to show their support. Hundreds of people. I am overwhelmed with how well it turned out.

The Rally went from a petition to light the Peace Tower gold to a beautiful showing of support and awareness for children with cancer on a national stage.

The guest speakers shared important and invaluable insight into the challenges that families, researchers, doctors and children face in the fight against cancer.

The kids in attendance had a blast with Monkey Rock Music, Rock the Arts Puppets, crafts, face painting and delicious treats.

There was a beautiful candlelit tribute in honour of the many children who have lost their lives.

And then the Peace Tower was lit top to bottom in gold. It was beautiful. It was the product of the hard work, persistence, determination and strength of the childhood cancer community and supporters. The Childhood Cancer Foundation of Canada sponsored the lighting as a tribute to the many Canadian children who have been touched by cancer.

I hope that this event will bring greater awareness, which will result in more funding, more research, better treatment options and ultimately, a cure. We need these things. Throughout my own personal journey with childhood cancer, I have met many determined people. Doctors, nurses, researchers, parents, siblings, advocates, patients all working towards the same goal of making this better, some working around the clock to save a child, advance research or make a family comfortable. I believe that it is these people who are going to cure cancer. It is these people who are going to make it better, but they need our help. The Peace Tower lit up Gold tonight, it was beautiful, it raised awareness, but it is important to note that it was not the Prime Minister of Canada that chose to light it gold in support and acknowledgement of children touched by cancer., it was the collective voices of the childhood cancer community and supporters, pleading for help.

We need to keep the momentum going. Please support the people working to save and improve the lives of children with cancer. Help to change this story. To make treatments and new therapies available for every Canadian child, to advance research, to allow survivors of childhood cancer a chance to grow up healthy and happy without the burden of long term side effects. Please give to organizations that support childhood cancer research and support initiatives. Help us change this story so that every child diagnosed with cancer has the opportunity to grow up. Kids can't fight cancer alone. If you are reading this, I know you know this. Now we need to let everyone  else know.

Thank-you to everyone who came out to show their support on Parliament Hill tonight. You made us proud.

Photo credits: Chris Hofley www.hofley.com