Every three minutes, at least one person in the US is diagnosed with a type of blood cancer. Light the Night, an event hosted across the nation each year by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), raises money for patients, families, and researchers. LLS fights to cure leukemia, lymphoma, and other forms of blood cancer. They focus on making sure those affected not only have access to treatment, but to a better quality of life. Light the Night was started to bring light to the darkness of cancer by initiating a walk to help fund lifesaving research and to provide support for those battling these diseases.
Leukemia is a cancer that affects the blood cells. Leukemia progresses when bone marrow and other blood-forming organs produce an increased number of abnormal white blood cells. These white blood cells are not able to help your body fight off infection and impair the bone marrow’s ability to produce red blood cells and platelets that help the body function properly. An estimated 1,237,824 people In the US are either living with, or are in remission from, leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma.
Light the Night believes in a group of strong heroes all fighting for a common cause. Patients who have fought leukemia and lymphoma are Light the Night’s biggest heroes. Two of those heroes are Olivia and Jordyn. Olivia, a Bronx, NY native, was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia at the young age of two. She underwent chemotherapy and received two bone marrow transplants. She is known for the inspiring and cheerful demeanor she kept through her battle, which she eventually won. Jordyn is another hero who hails from Concord, CA. In September of 2003, 6-year-old Jordyn was diagnosed with T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma. Following the diagnoses, Jordyn underwent chemotherapy, multiple lumbar punctures, and several blood transfusions. During her battle, she was known as a hero of strength and is in remission today.
“Light the Night is a powerful and unique walk which brings together families and the community to honor blood cancer survivors, as well as those lost to the diseases, and shine a light on the importance of finding cures and providing access to treatments for blood cancer patients” said Sherri Stitt, Executive Director of The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. “We are honored to have Will Weatherford to serve as our 2017 Chair. Will is the Managing Partner of Weatherford Partners and former Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives. Under Will’s leadership, we are confident our 2017 Light the Night will be a phenomenal event. The Tampa Bay Light the Night is a fun, family friendly walk that has something for everyone, including music, food, activities for the kids and fireworks.”
There are so many ways to get involved with Light the Night and LLS. Volunteering, participating in, or becoming a sponsor at a walk are just three ways to engage. By choosing to become a sponsor, you and your company have the opportunity to target responsive audiences and build equity with a proven brand at a national, regional or local level. For almost 20 years, Light the Night has attracted a broad base of consumers and has had nearly one million participants to date! There are multiple sponsorship opportunities and levels to suit the needs of our diverse community of supporters.
When we walk, cancer runs!
Learn more about the Tampa Light the Night walk which will be held on November 18, 2017.
