Random Acts of Light Day is a holiday observed annually on June 13th. The purpose of this holiday is for us to light up the life of a cancer patient by showing them kindness. A cancer diagnosis can mark the beginning of what feels like the darkest chapter in a person’s life, and this holiday encourages people to bring light with understanding, caring, and above all, empathy and kindness.

There is no act of kindness too large or too small; all that matters is the thought behind the gesture. For some, that could mean simply lending an ear to listen, or it could be as simple as buying them a drink.

The History of National Acts of Light Day

This holiday was created by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in 2017 to highlight the need for a cure for cancer and to help people show cancer survivors the love and care they deserve. It has been celebrated every year since and will continue to be celebrated until the cure for all cancers is found.

Facts About Leukemia

We’ve listed some facts about leukemia below to get everyone started on learning more about this disease and why research to cure it is so important.

• The median age of people who die from leukemia is 74 years.
• Approximately 310,000 Americans are currently living with leukemia.
• The median 5-year survival rate for leukemia is about 54%.
• Leukemia causes more deaths in children than any other childhood disease.
• Men are 31% more likely to be diagnosed with leukemia than women.
• In the 1970s, 10% of children diagnosed with leukemia would survive for 5 years.
• In the 2020s, the 5-year survival rate for children is 80%.

Observing National Acts of Light Day

This is a great day to show someone you know who is fighting cancer some affection and understanding. It’s also a good day to donate to cancer research or to help spread the word about the importance of cancer research to friends and family members. People can also spread the word about this holiday by using the hashtag #NationalActsOfLightDay on their social media accounts.