Marcel Bendorf Named 2026 Light the Night Honored Hero
The 11-year-old celebrates one year of being cancer-free before the October 24, 2026, event at Sutter Health Park.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Cancer
Marcel Bendorf, an 11-year-old cancer survivor, will be recognized as the 2026 Honored Hero at the Light the Night event in West Sacramento. He reached one year of cancer-free status following a battle with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Why it matters
The recognition highlights the journey of pediatric cancer survivors and the community support involved in recovery. Bendorf served as a patient advocate after his diagnosis required over two years of medical treatment.
Marcel Bendorf underwent treatment for 2 years, 2 months, and 23 days following his diagnosis at age 7. He is now 11 years old and has reached his one-year milestone of being cancer-free.
The players
Marcel Bendorf
He is an 11-year-old survivor of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia who serves as an advocate for pediatric cancer awareness.
Light the Night
This is a fundraising campaign organized by The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society to support cancer research and patient services.
The details
Bendorf began his medical journey after experiencing intense back and leg pain, which led to an emergency room visit and days of testing. He will now represent fellow patients during the upcoming ceremony at Sutter Health Park.
Timeline
October 24, 2026, marks the Light the Night event date.
6:45 p.m. is the scheduled start time for the ceremony.
Health Landscape
The event serves as a local activation for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Light the Night campaign, which supports national cancer research and patient outreach. This integration highlights the transition from clinical treatment to community-based advocacy for pediatric cancer survivors.
Residents planning to attend the event must register in advance through the official portal. Participation in these events often provides families with direct access to support networks and information regarding local pediatric oncology resources.
The takeaway
Advocacy milestones like these underscore the importance of persistence during long-term medical treatments for pediatric patients. Community-based support networks remain a vital component for families navigating the recovery process after intensive oncology protocols.
What happens next
The Light the Night event is scheduled to take place at Sutter Health Park at 400 Ballpark Drive on October 24, 2026, starting at 6:45 p.m.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in Cancer care and patient advocacy.
More information
For more details on the ceremony, visit the Light the Night event registration.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KCRA.
