YORBA LINDA, CALIF., – The family and friends team “Van’s Walking Warriors” returns for a second year to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Orange County/Inland Empire Chapter’s (LLS) 11th annual Light the Night® Walk fundraiser in Anaheim on August 22. The team will be walking not only in honor of leukemia survivor Kurt Thallmayer of Mission Viejo but in memory of Kurt’s best friend and former roommate, Van Skoglund of Dana Point, who died unexpectedly of heart disease at age 29 on January 24. Van had served as team captain last year when the team was named Team Chrome Dome; it drew 50 participants and raised $15,000 for blood cancer research. The team was re-named this year in memory of Van, at Kurt’s suggestion. Van’s mother, Cynthia Skoglund of Yorba Linda, will serve as captain.
“Van was a wonderful person who put everyone’s needs before his own,” recalled Cynthia. “When Kurt was diagnosed with leukemia last year, Van spent every moment he could at Kurt’s side.”
The pair met while working together at Ingram Micro in Santa Ana. Van was working as a sales account manager at Kingston Technology in Fountain Valley at the time of his death.
In 2008, Kurt experienced severe headaches and fatigue. He was diagnosed with leukemia on June 20. He recalled, “It really hit me out of the blue. I knew something bad was going on, but I didn’t know it was cancer.”
He took a leave of absence from Ingram Micro to undergo treatment, which included five rounds of chemotherapy and four months in the hospital. He is currently in remission. He has not only returned to work, but recently announced his engagement to Evey Gonzalez of Costa Mesa.
Van’s Walking Warriors welcome donations in support of their efforts. To make a donation or to join the walk team, please visit http://pages.lightthenight.org/ocie/OrangeCo09/VansWalkingWarriors.
For additional information about the Light the Night walk, please visit www.lightthenight.org or contact Grace Hinojoza at the Orange County/Inland Empire Chapter at Grace.Hinojoza@lls.org or 714.481.5608.
