Light the way: B.C.’s legal community rallies to fundraise for blood cancer research

On October 25, over 500 people gathered at The Shipyards in North Vancouver for Light the Night to honour and bring hope to those affected by blood cancers. Survivors, families and supporters carried glowing lanterns, walking together in a moment of solidarity, memory and hope.

The event also celebrated Counsel for a Cure and the impact the fundraising challenge had on Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada (LLSC). Counsel for the Cure brought together lawyers, firms and leaders in B.C.’s legal field to fundraise for LLSC. The goal: to raise $137,000 to fight the 137 types of blood cancers.

Not only did Counsel for a Cure reach that goal, but the campaign contributed roughly 10 percent of the funds raised for Light the Night in Vancouver, which totalled a record-breaking $1.4 million.

“Through Light the Night Vancouver, the Counsel for a Cure campaign fuelled our mission to support those impacted by blood cancers by driving research, care and community support,” says Ben Neumer, the campaign director of Light the Night. “This year, thanks to initiatives like Counsel for a Cure, LLSC invested $5.1 million in Canadian research and supported thousands of patients and families.”

Counsel for a Cure is championed by Light the Night co-chairs, Laura Cundari (Partner at Blake, Cassels and Graydon LLP) and Kinji Bourchier K.C. (Partner at Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP). In 2017, their daughter was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Today, she’s in remission, and the couple continues to galvanize the legal community to support the LLSC’s fight to cure blood cancer.

“I [feel] proud to be a part of such a philanthropic profession,” says Cundari. “So many of our colleagues found ways to meaningfully contribute, whether it was by holding events, a personal donation, a firm donation or by raising awareness of what we were trying to do. This campaign really reflected the incredible support we received from the legal and business communities when our daughter was diagnosed.”

Bourchier adds: “Thank you for being there and showing up for us and for the blood cancer community.” Counsel for the Cure reached this milestone fundraising goal thanks to fundraising teams’ generous support.” Participating teams and generous campaign contributors can be found here.

So, who claimed top honours in this year’s Counsel for a Cure Challenge? The outstanding team at Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP!

“Medical research has dramatically improved survival rates for those diagnosed with blood cancers,” Cundari says. “The money raised through your efforts will help contribute to continued advances in this area.”

There’s still time to donate or plan to participate in Counsel for a Cure 2026. “With so many Canadians personally affected by cancer, getting involved is a powerful way to honour loved ones and drive change,” says Neumer.

“Thank you to Kinji and Laura for driving the impact,” he adds. “Their philanthropic spirit made this campaign a huge success.”

Please visit lightthenight.ca to learn more. To take part in Light the Night 2026, contact Ben Neumer at [email protected]. Your support matters.

Connect on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.