Friday September 25, 2026 at 6:00 p.m.
WELCOME TO ILLUMINIGHT
A night walk to shine a light on cancer care across the region.
Illuminight 2026 Ambassador, Leea Fortune
Join Us at Illuminight
Illuminight, presented by CIBC Wood Gundy, is a family-friendly night walk at Westfield Heritage Village that brings our community together in support of Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre.
Surrounded by the beauty and historic charm of the village, participants can enjoy a scenic 1.4 km walk, glowing light installations, live music, comforting food, family activities and a spectacular drone show. The evening also offers meaningful opportunities to reflect, celebrate and honour the people who have touched our lives.
Whether you are walking in memory of someone special, supporting a loved one through their cancer journey or simply showing up for your community, every step helps advance world-class cancer care and research for patients and families across our region.
Event Details:
Date: Friday, September 25, 2026
Time: 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Location: Westfield Heritage Village, 1049 Kirkwall Road, Rockton
When you fundraise, you are supporting the highest-priority needs in cancer care, including equipment, research, education, and patient amenities.
WAYS TO PARTICIPATE
Get involved in Illuminight and support exceptional cancer care in our region.
Experience the event
• Walk a peaceful 1.4 km forest trail.
• Immersive light installations in the village centre.
• Enjoy food, live music, and all-ages activities.
• Watch the drone show.
Take part your way:
• Join or start a team
• Register as an individual
• Come solo or with others
REGISTERYour registration supports advanced cancer care and research.
Donate
Unable to attend, or want to support someone who is participating? You can still make a meaningful impact:
• Make a direct gift to support cancer care and research at Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre.
• Help fund lifesaving equipment, patient care, and innovative research.
• Support patients and families in your community.
DONATE
Volunteer
Volunteers are essential to Illuminight and help bring the event to life:
• Assist with registration and welcome participants.
• Support route marshalling along the walk.
• Help run activity stations and guest experiences.
• Join a passionate, community-driven team.
Volunteers must be at least 14 years of age, and volunteers aged 14-17 must be accompanied by or paired with a parent/guardian-approved volunteer aged 18 or older.
VOLUNTEERSEE THE DIFFERENCE YOU MAKE
When you participate in Illuminight, you’re investing in the highest-priority needs at Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre - helping ensure patients can access advanced diagnostics, innovative treatments, and compassionate support. Behind every dollar raised is a story. A patient whose treatment was made possible. A family who felt supported during a difficult diagnosis. A breakthrough in research that offers new options and strengthens hope.
Patient Care in Action
Thousands of patients come to Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre each year. Your support helps equip care teams with the tools and technology they need to deliver advanced cancer care.
Advancing Research and Innovation
JHCC is home to an active clinical trials program exploring new cancer treatments and therapies. Funds raised help move this work forward so more patients can benefit.
Comfort, Dignity and Support
From enhanced treatment spaces to thoughtful patient amenities, your generosity helps create care environments that support comfort, dignity, and healing.
A Community United
Illuminight brings together participants, donors, volunteers, and sponsors from Hamilton, Brant, Haldimand, Niagara, Burlington, and beyond. Together, they remind patients and families they are not alone.
Your registration supports advanced cancer care and research.
AMBASSADOR STORY
Meet our Illuminight Ambassador, Leea Fortune
Each year, Illuminight shines a light on the powerful stories of patients and families who have received care at JHCC. Our 2026 Illuminight Ambassador Leea reminds us why this event matters so deeply - and how your support makes a difference when it is needed most.
Teacher, mom, coach and connector, Leea has always been the kind of person who shows up for others, even during the hardest moments of her own life. After being diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2020 and later facing a recurrence, she found strength in the compassionate care she received at Juravinski Cancer Centre and in the community around her. Now approaching two years of clean scans, Leea is using her experience to support and connect with others navigating cancer through advocacy, fundraising and storytelling. As the 2026 Illuminight ambassador and the event’s top fundraiser for the past two years, she is helping shine a light on cancer for patients, survivors and families across our region.
FUNDRAISING & PRIZES
Every step at Illuminight is taken for someone special. We walk to honour those we love, remember those we miss and celebrate the strength, hope and resilience of everyone touched by cancer. Together, we create an evening of light, love and community in support of exceptional cancer care at Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre.
This year, teams that raise $1,000 or more* will be recognized as Illuminight Fundraising Stars.
In recognition of your fundraising efforts, your team will receive a commemorative Luminary Lantern to hold your glowing candle on the Tribute Bridge. Your team will also receive a special keepsake to remember the difference you have made for patients and families facing cancer.
To qualify, donations must be received in person by Wednesday, September 23, at 4:00 p.m., or online by Wednesday, September 23, at 11:59 p.m. Luminary Lanterns can be picked up at the Tribute Bridge.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Have questions about registration, fundraising or event logistics? You’ll find helpful answers in our Frequently Asked Questions section.
The event is wheelchair and mobility-aid accessible, with activities and a trail walk planned for a variety of abilities. While the trail is mostly accessible, there may be a short portion that is uneven or bumpy. Participation in the trail walk is entirely at each participant’s discretion. For those who prefer not to walk the trail, a tractor ride will be available and will circle the picturesque village.
Rain or shine, we want everyone to have a great time, so please dress for the weather and enjoy a night to remember.
Of course! There’s delicious food, activities for kids of all ages, a serene 1.4 km walk, immersive light installations in the village centre, and live music. Culminating with the return of the much-anticipated drone show finale.
Your furry friends are more than welcome. We simply request they be leashed at all times.
Westfield Heritage Village is located at: 1049 Kirkwall Road, Rockton. Follow the signs to the entrance. There is plenty of free parking available. Please follow the directions from our parking volunteers upon arrival.
Yes, there is a registration fee to participate in this event for anyone 6 and up.
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
Our sponsors are an important driving force behind our mission. By supporting Illuminight, they showcase their enduring commitment to enhancing cancer care for patients and families during some of the most challenging moments of their lives. For that, and so much more we say, “thank you!”
Presenting sponsor
CONTACT OUR TEAM
We’re here to help make your Illuminight experience a success - from registration and fundraising to sponsorship and volunteering.
For event and participant questions:
Carrie Mahuran: mahuran@hhsc.ca
Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation
1 King St. West, Suite 702, Hamilton, ON L8P 1A4
Mailing: Box 739, LCD 1, Hamilton, ON L8N 3M8