National Random Acts of Light Day
June 13
About National Random Acts of Light Day
National Random Acts of Light Day takes place on Saturday, 13 June 2026. Created by The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), the day encourages people to carry out small, deliberate acts of kindness that bring light into the lives of those affected by blood cancer. It is a fixed annual observance held every 13 June.
What is National Random Acts of Light Day?
National Random Acts of Light Day is an awareness day dedicated to supporting people living with leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma, and other blood cancers, alongside their families and carers. It was established by The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, a leading non-profit funder of blood cancer research, in partnership with National Day Calendar. The central idea is simple: perform a thoughtful act of kindness, large or small, that lifts the spirits of someone touched by cancer. The day grew out of the LLS flagship fundraising campaign, Light The Night, and shares its core message of bringing light to the darkness of cancer.
When is National Random Acts of Light Day?
National Random Acts of Light Day falls on Saturday, 13 June 2026. It is observed on the same date every year, so it will return on 13 June in 2027 and beyond. Because the date is fixed rather than tied to a particular weekday, it can land on any day of the week from one year to the next.
Why National Random Acts of Light Day Matters
Blood cancers affect a substantial number of people across the world. Leukaemia, lymphoma, and myeloma together rank among the most commonly diagnosed cancers globally, and an estimated 1.7 million people in the United States alone are living with or in remission from a blood cancer. In the US, someone is estimated to die from a blood cancer roughly every nine minutes. Behind every one of those figures is a person, a family, and a circle of friends navigating treatment, uncertainty, and recovery.
A diagnosis can feel isolating, and long treatment regimens often keep patients away from work, school, and normal social life. National Random Acts of Light Day matters because it reminds everyone that compassion has a tangible impact. A meal delivered, a card sent, or a visit arranged can ease the emotional weight that statistics never capture. The day also keeps attention on the need for continued research funding, which has driven significant improvements in survival. The five-year survival rate for Hodgkin lymphoma, for example, has risen dramatically over recent decades, and childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia now has a survival rate above 90 per cent in many countries.
How to Get Involved in National Random Acts of Light Day
There are many ways to mark the day, whether you have a personal connection to blood cancer or simply want to spread a little kindness. Here are some ideas:
- Perform a random act of kindness – Do something unexpected for a patient, survivor, carer, or healthcare worker, from dropping off a home-cooked meal to sending an encouraging note.
- Donate to blood cancer research – Support The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society or a national blood cancer charity in your country to help fund the research that improves survival rates.
- Register for a Light The Night walk – Sign up for an LLS Light The Night event, where participants carry illuminated lanterns in honour of survivors, patients, and those who have been lost.
- Give blood or join a stem cell register – Blood and platelet donations are vital for many cancer patients, and joining a stem cell donor register could one day save a life.
- Share a message of support – Use social media to share words of encouragement, survivor stories, or accurate information about blood cancer.
- Check in on someone – Reach out to anyone you know who is undergoing treatment or supporting a loved one, and simply ask how they are.
- Volunteer your time – Offer practical help such as lifts to hospital appointments, childcare, or running errands for a family affected by cancer.
- Light a candle or lantern – Mark the evening with a small light at home as a symbol of hope and solidarity with those affected.
History of National Random Acts of Light Day
National Random Acts of Light Day was founded in 2017 by The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society together with National Day Calendar, with the inaugural observance proclaimed for 13 June 2017. The concept had been piloted in the autumn of 2016, when celebrities and local heroes arranged surprise meetings with blood cancer patients and survivors to lift their spirits.
At the first official Random Acts of Light Day in 2017, actor and singer Charles Esten surprised a young blood cancer survivor in Nashville, Tennessee, inviting her to a preview of his rehearsal at the CMT Music Awards. She had been diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in 2012, the same type of leukaemia faced by Esten’s own daughter. Moments like these set the tone for the day, which is built around the idea that small gestures of warmth can have a lasting effect.
The day is closely tied to Light The Night, LLS’s signature fundraising campaign. Each autumn, around 150 Light The Night walks take place across North America, with roughly one million participants carrying lanterns. White lanterns honour survivors and the power of research, red lanterns support patients and the search for cures, and gold lanterns are carried in remembrance of those who have died. If you are drawn to the kindness at the heart of this day, you may also appreciate World Kindness Day, which carries a similar spirit on a global scale.
Noteworthy Facts About National Random Acts of Light Day
- The day was first observed on 13 June 2017 and has been marked annually on the same date ever since.
- It is an initiative of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, one of the world’s largest voluntary funders of blood cancer research.
- The day is an extension of the Light The Night campaign, which uses coloured lanterns to represent survivors, patients, and those who have died.
- Around one million people take part in roughly 150 Light The Night walks across North America each year.
- An estimated 1.7 million people in the United States are living with or in remission from a blood cancer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is National Random Acts of Light Day?
It is an awareness day created by The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society that encourages people to carry out acts of kindness for those affected by blood cancer, bringing a little light into their lives.
When is National Random Acts of Light Day in 2026?
It falls on Saturday, 13 June 2026, and is observed on 13 June every year.
Who organises National Random Acts of Light Day?
The day was established by The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in partnership with National Day Calendar, and it is linked to the LLS Light The Night fundraising campaign.
Spread the Word
Help raise awareness by sharing National Random Acts of Light Day with your friends, family, and followers. Use the hashtags #RandomActsOfLight and #RandomActsOfLight2026 on social media. The more people who take part, the more light reaches those facing blood cancer.
Related Awareness Days
- World Lymphoma Awareness Day – A global day raising awareness of lymphoma, one of the most common blood cancers.
- Blood Cancer Awareness Month – A month-long focus on leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma, and other blood cancers.
- World Kindness Day – A worldwide celebration of kindness and small acts that brighten others’ lives.
Links
2026 Health Awareness Calendar
Health and wellbeing awareness days throughout the year. Perfect for clinics, HR teams, and schools.
View Calendar →
