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Sisters' love will help Light the Night in Oakville by Nathan Howes Special to the Beaver 19 | Thursday, September 25, 2014 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Diane Pike and Janine Fischer have always been close sisters. But after Fischer saved Pike's life earlier this year, the pair became inseparable. The 36-year-old mother of two received a stem cell transplant in January after being diagnosed with leukemia in September 2013. After chemotherapy failed to put Pike's cancer into remission, doctors told her she needed a stem cell transplant. Fischer and brother, George Havaris, had cheek-swabs done to see if they were compatible donors for Pike. When she found out her sister was a match, Pike said it was one of the best moments of her life. "My sister saved my life and was a perfect match for my transplant. She underwent that procedure and has a family of her own to take care of. For her to do that for me was unbelievable," said Pike. "We were waiting for something good to come along. I sent flowers to her and on the card I wrote, `Big surprise. We're a match.' "It was a joke in our family that we were already so close and now we're going to be that much closer," she added. Pike wants to help others with leukemia by participating in Oakville's first Light The Sisters Diane Pike, left, and Janine Fischer, hug each other shortly before Pike's stem cell transplant in January. Pike needed the transplant to treat acute myeloid leukemia. | submitted photo Night Walk on Oct. 4 at Coronation Park. The event will raise funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada (LLSC) -- an organization committed to finding a cure for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma while improving the quality of life for patients and their families. Although Pike and her family reside in Stoney Creek, Ont., they do have roots in Oakville. Her husband, Dave, went to MacLachlan College while Pike spent time dancing at a local studio. "When I saw the Oakville Light The Night Walk in October, I thought that was perfect timing -- especially since it's just more than a year since I was diagnosed. It's a celebration for us and our family and friends," said Pike. "We spend lots of time in Oakville." The last 12 months were arduous for Pike and her friends and family, she said, but they all came together and helped her through it. "We have amazing friends and family that stopped their lives to be there for us. My parents moved in with us and helped to take care of my girls. My sister lives close, so she and her family helped me. My brother flew in from Poland with his wife for the transplant," said Pike. When she was told she had acute myeloid leukemia (AML) ­ a cancer more commonly found in children and older adults ­ Pike's world "just stopped turning," she said, through tears. "Everything kind of came to a stop and I was immediately worried about my two daughters. Everything ran through my head at once about what's going to happen from here," said Pike. see Match on p.22 www.TheCrepeKitchen.ca · (905) 849-4999 Eduardo & Ana from The Crêpe Kitchen are thankful for all The Oakville Beaver Readers who have chosen them once again for the Diamond Award for Best Breakfast and Most Attentive Owners. The Crêpe Kitchen is located at 88 Dunn St., Downtown Oakville DIAMOND DIAMOND