Josh Gourlay-Young lit a white lantern from hospital
19 October 2021
![Josh Gourlay-Young lit a white lantern from hospital](https://lightthenight.org.au/resources/news/172101583_873331886558529_5486975662867320463_n_2021-10-19-004450_sdxg.jpeg)
The Leukaemia Foundation – on behalf of every Australian who has been touched by blood cancer – would like to thank Josh Gourlay-Young for being a Light the Night Bright Star for 2021.
Since starting his fundraising page, Josh raised over $6,190 – and we could not be more grateful for his incredible support.
In June last year – just two months after marrying his then-fiancé Cory – Josh was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). After a routine biopsy returned back with some abnormalities and being sent for a second blood test, it was revealed that his bloods had changed dramatically. He was then diagnosed, and began treatment immediately at the Royal Hobart Hospital.
![Josh Gourlay-Young](https://lightthenight.org.au/resources/content/242060765_839323486661091_6265828221879796277_n.jpeg)
“It’s been an absolutely wild ride up to this point. I’ve had more injections than I ever felt I’d be comfortable with, I’ve been poisoned with gosh knows how many litres of chemotherapy, I’ve miraculously gained 6kg, still have a reasonable head of hair on me and I am still, after all of this, in remission and kicking this cancer fair in the butt with minimal side effects.”
![Josh lighting a white lantern in hospital](https://lightthenight.org.au/resources/content/245803059_238152174999954_7393272190096745116_n.jpeg)
“It was an emotional night for me. There were a few tears. I wanted absolutely nothing more than to be surrounded by my husband, my dogs, my family and friends as we all watched Light the Night together and as I lit my White Lantern to show solidarity for every other person undergoing their own Blood Cancer experience.”
“I had plans for how I wanted to celebrate the night, but it just wasn’t meant to happen this year. And that’s okay because for as long as I breathe and keep fighting, I will do it again next year – with 150% more energy, fight and determination.”
“Provided all goes to plan, within the month I’ll be in Brisbane and getting new, healthy bone marrow - essentially ridding myself of this bloody cancer. Hopefully for good. No. Definitely for good.”
On Saturday, 16 October 2021, Australia came together to shine a light on blood cancer, and on the darkness that it brings to each person it touches. On the night, Josh lit a white lantern from his hospital bed in honour of his own blood cancer journey, and to reflect on how it has changed his life.
![Josh on the day of Light the Night](https://lightthenight.org.au/resources/content/Gosh-Gourlay_hospital-2.jpg)
We cannot thank Josh enough for his support on the night, and for his bravery and strength in sharing his blood cancer story. Since being diagnosed, Josh began a Facebook page where he provides updates on his story – and you can check it out below.