Illumination Nation: The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and Enlightened Companies "Light The Night" This Fall

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., July 23, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is working with more than 100 national partners and sponsors to realize a world without blood cancers through the Light The Night^® (LTN) Walk (www.LightTheNight.org). Together with LLS, the corporate partners and sponsors are raising awareness and making a positive impact on the lives of patients today, by literally shining a spotlight on the need to raise funds for treatments and cures. During nearly 200 inspirational evening walks nationwide, supporters form fundraising teams carrying illuminated balloons to bring light to the dark world of cancer.  As well, consumers can support the LLS mission by making donations at Burlington Coat Factory locations nationwide, LLS's top national partner. 

The LTN fundraising campaign is a key driver of funds to LLS, which benefit the development and delivery of breakthrough treatments and cures for blood cancers.  As there are no means of screening or prevention for blood cancers, LLS's mission is to focus on cures.  Despite advances in survival rates, about half of blood cancer patients do not survive, so more funding is needed to advance research and ensure access to treatments to help save more lives. 

"We are so grateful for the commitment and dedication of our sponsor and partner companies across the consumer and healthcare arenas that are helping LLS get closer to our goal of a world without blood cancers," states John Walter, president and chief executive officer of LLS.  "Our pharmaceutical and biotechnology partners are making enormous strides in breakthrough treatments and cures for blood cancers.  Funds raised are invested in lifesaving research, drug development and providing patients' access to therapies.  And our largest partner, Burlington, continues to engage consumers directly in-store; just last year alone more than 3 million customers donated to the cause at Burlington's more than 500 locations."

For the 12^th consecutive year, Burlington serves as the #1 National Corporate Partner and Honored Friend of the LTN Walk campaign. Over the past 11 years, Burlington has raised more than $16 million to help fund innovative cancer research and patient services by engaging its customers to purchase paper balloon icons at checkout. Customers can donate now through October 19^th to the cause at any Burlington.

"We are honored to partner with LLS on its mission to end blood cancer, and we're thankful to the efforts of our employees and customers who have had such a significant impact on the lives of those affected," said Thomas Kingsbury, president and chief executive officer, Burlington. "Our long-standing partnership has resulted in real progress in the lives of blood cancer patients and their families."

LLS is grateful to its 2012 top fundraising national partners, including:  Burlington (raised $3,475,000), Barclays (raised $880,000), Phillips-Van Heusen Corporation (raised $555,000), Foundation Beyond Belief (raised $440,000), Stater Bros. Charities (raised $415,000), Wells Fargo (raised $400,000), Austaco, LTD. (raised $355,000), Global Franchise Group (raised $305,000), Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc. (raised $278,000), Celgene Corporation (raised $275,000) and Elbit Systems of America (raised $250,000).

"Teva Oncology is proud to return again this year as a national sponsor of the Light The Night Walk. We are honored by being able to continue to pay tribute and bring hope to those battling blood cancers," said Bill Campbell, Vice President and General Manager, Teva Oncology.  "Teva Pharmaceuticals is committed to improving the lives of cancer patients worldwide.  Our long-standing partnership with LLS has reached patients and their families during their time of need. This partnership unites us in the common goal of helping patients. We are pleased to support LLS in this important initiative."

In addition, LLS recognizes its 2013/2014 Sponsors (donating a minimum of $175,000) including: Astellas USA Foundation, Celgene Corporation, Genentech/Biogen Idec, Millennium: The Takeda Oncology Company, Pfizer, Inc., Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, and Teva Oncology.

During these leisurely walks, those who raise $100 or more will become a Champion For Cures and get the honor of carrying an illuminated balloon - white for survivors, red for supporters and gold balloons in memory of loved ones lost. Thousands of walkers -- men, women and children -- form a community of caring and bring light to the dark world of cancer.

For more information about LTN and to view a multimedia release, including the inspirational campaign public service announcement, please visit www.LLSLightTheNight.org. LLS is also on Facebook and Twitter. For more information and to sign up for a walk, go to www.LightTheNight.org and www.LLS.org. To find a Burlington location near you to easily donate to benefit LLS, visit www.BurlingtonCoatFactory.com. For the complete list of national partners, please click here.

About "Someday Is Today"
In 2013, LLS launched its first-ever marketing and branding campaign to highlight the remarkable progress that this global organization and its partners in pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, academia, government and medical settings are making right now to change the face of blood cancer: "Someday Is Today." The blood cancer community is at an extraordinary moment: lives are being saved today. LLS's new signature campaign, "Someday Is Today," is designed to raise awareness of its mission and achievements; for example:

• In the past 50 years the five-year survival rate for many blood cancer patients has doubled, tripled or even quadrupled
• Advances achieved in part through LLS-funded research in the past 50-plus years have increased the five-year survival rate for the most common form of childhood leukemia from three to 90 percent
• LLS partners closely with leading universities and biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies to get treatments to patients faster than ever before
• LLS research grants have funded today's most promising advances, including targeted therapies (such as Gleevec^®, Velcade^®, Kyprolis^®) and immunotherapies (such as Rituxan^®)
• Nearly 50 percent of all cancer drugs approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration in the last 12 years were first approved for blood cancers
• LLS launched the Therapy Acceleration Program (TAP) in 2007, to advance development of new therapies and diagnostics by bridging the gap between discovery and human applications, and to increase the likelihood that novel, even breakthrough treatments will be available to patients as soon as possible

About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society^® (LLS) is the world's largest voluntary health agency dedicated to curing 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 for patients and their loved ones.

Major LLS fundraising campaigns include Team In Training, Light The Night, School & Youth, Man & Woman of the Year and Regatta. To reach the widest possible audience, LLS partners with national and regional level companies and brands, including Nike, Disney, Burlington Coat Factory and others.

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. Patients and caregivers should contact the Information Resource Center at (800) 955-4572, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET. www.lls.org.

Contacts:
Marcie Klein
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
914.821.8205
[email protected]

Carrie Rose
Ketchum
646.935.3938
[email protected]

SOURCE The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society