Burlington Coat Factory, #1 National Corporate Partner of LLS's Light The Night Walk, Announces 10th Year of Partnership to Help Beat Cancer

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., Aug. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Jack Guindon was a 4-year-old preschooler from Massachusetts when he was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia in July of 2007.

Leukemia causes more deaths among children than any other cancer. Over the next 3 1/2 years he endured grueling chemotherapy treatments, many surgeries, spinal taps and spent many days and weeks in the hospital, missing his schoolmates and family. His treatments finally came to an end in October of 2010 and today he is a happy, healthy 8-year-old.  Jack and his parents, Tom and Joanna, are well aware that cancer research supported by The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) saves lives.

Inspired by this and similar stories, Burlington Coat Factory, the number one national corporate partner for LLS's Light The Night Walk, today announces the 10th year of the partnership with commencement of its company-wide initiative encouraging shoppers to purchase paper balloon icons to support LLS's fight against cancer. The campaign runs from today through November 25th at its more than 460 locations in 44 states and in Puerto Rico.

Over the past nine years, Burlington has raised close to $10 million dollars for the LLS through this campaign.

In addition to the balloon icon program, Burlington Coat Factory will form 120 Light The Night Walk teams throughout the country in 78 different cities. Light The Night Walk is LLS's evening walk held in communities across the country each fall to honor and commemorate lives touched by cancer and raise funds for cancer research and patient services.

The Guindons received information and support from LLS when Jack was first diagnosed and have been enthusiastic participants of Light The Night Walks for several years.

"We are so thankful to Burlington Coat Factory, its employees and customers, who are helping to make a difference in the lives of so many patients and their families through this initiative," said Joanna Guindon.

"I am consistently impressed and overwhelmed by the tremendous generosity of our employees and our customers who give back in support of this important life-changing research," said Burlington Coat Factory president and chief executive officer, Thomas Kingsbury.  "We are looking forward to another outstanding campaign this season as we work together to help beat cancer and assist individuals and families like the Guindons, affected by this terrible disease."

About Burlington Coat Factory

Burlington Coat Factory is a national retail chain offering brag-worthy merchandise for the entire family and the home with up to 60 percent off department store prices every day. Departments include ladies' sportswear, menswear, family footwear, children's clothing, furniture and accessories for baby at Baby Depot, home decor and gifts, along with the largest selection of coats in the nation for the entire family. Burlington Coat Factory was founded in 1972 and has expanded from a single store selling coats, to a multi-department retail chain with more than 460 stores in 44 States and Puerto Rico.  In 2006, Bain Capital purchased Burlington Coat Factory. For more, visit www.BurlingtonCoatFactory.com, and to brag about great finds from Burlington, visit www.BurlingtonBrag.com.

About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society® (LLS) is the world's largest voluntary health agency dedicated to blood cancer. The LLS mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research around the world and provides free information and support services.  

Founded in 1949 and headquartered in White Plains, NY, LLS has chapters throughout the United States and Canada. To learn more, visit www.LLS.org or contact the Information Resource Center at (800) 955-4572, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET. www.lls.org.

For LLS Contact:
Andrea Greif
914-821-8958
[email protected]

For Burlington Contact:
Chelsea Cowan
212-251-1204
[email protected]

SOURCE The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society