"My daughter was diagnosed with Leukaemia five years ago," Ms Mintern said.

"She's now cured, she's gone through all her treatment and is in the clear which we are so lucky to be able to say."

As a mum knowing the heartache associated with a cancer diagnosis, Ms Mintern has been involved with organising Wagga's Light the Night event for the three years it's been running.

The event raises money and awareness for Leukaemia through an evening parade of lanterns - gold represents support of a loved one, white indicates a personal journey, and blue shows support for the wider community.

"That was our big driver to bring it to Wagga, and obviously a lot of people are affected by blood cancer and we don't always realise it," Ms Mintern said.

"You can see it here with all the different coloured lanterns just how much of an impact in has."

Now nine years old, her daughter Taylor Garrett is a bright young girl proud to support others who have lived the same experience.

"It was a bit scary when I was diagnosed, but I guess I was lucky because I was so little so I didn't worry as much," she said.

"Not a lot of people get to hear that they're cured, when I found out I was very happy and excited.

"It's good to see everyone here supporting each other, I know what it's like."

Along with an evening of music, food and activities, the parade will flow from Victory Memorial Gardens tonight.

Carrying a gold lantern at the event, Liza Boyle was supported by friends and family as she remembered the impact blood cancer had on her life.

"I had a daughter who passed away of Leukaemia at about three and a half which was six years ago now," she said.

"She was diagnosed and went to Sydney for treatment but passed away 30 days later."

Ms Boyle and her children have joined the parade almost every year.

"It's good to have a special thing just for Leukaemia, it's often not a focus outside of the Relay For Life," she said.

Beyond the funds raised for research and awareness, Ms Mintern added that the event had a far greater value to the community.

"It brings people together, some people might not have a big support system, or they might find comfort in being around someone who understands what it's like and has dealt with the same thing," she said.

Senior hospital scientist at Wagga Base Hospital, Naomi Hocker, said seeing the magnitude of those affected by blood cancer at the event was not only devastating, but also a reflection on where the city's health system has lacked.

"We don't have a haematologist here in Wagga, despite being the largest NSW Public Health Pathology outside of Sydney," she said.

"We have so many cases here where families are being uprooted in order to get treatment, both immediate and ongoing because the only option for them is to travel to Sydney."

Ms Hocker said she has been in contact with NSW Pathology to call for a dedicated haematologist to be employed in Wagga.

"This could change lives, it could save lives and it is what Wagga desperately needs," she said.