Learn to Sail with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Sail For a Cure

Unique Bay Area program trains individuals for certification and renowned Leukemia Cup Regatta

SAN FRANCISCO, May 12, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- This summer, Bay Area residents can learn how to sail, race in the top charity regatta in the nation and support cancer research by participating in The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Sail For a Cure program.

Sail For a Cure is a comprehensive fundraising and sailing training program to benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). Participants learn to sail during two weekends of keelboat sailing and regatta orientation by highly experienced U.S. Sailing Certified Instructors from Spinnaker Sailing and Club Nautique. The program includes two weekends of basic keelboat training, race training, two sailing events and an event at the San Francisco Yacht Club. Participants will have the option to test out and receive their BK 1 Sailing Certification, attend the Leukemia Cup Regatta VIP Dinner with special guest speaker, John Doerr on October 1st and compete in the Leukemia Cup Regatta on October 2nd.

"Sail For a Cure has been such a wonderful way for us to support LLS.  What our daughter, Hannah, went through was so hard, and LLS did so much," said Sail For a Cure alumna, Wendy Reed of her and her husband's experience. "Being able to be out on the water, which is something we love, and give back to what saved Hannah's life, has been an overwhelming joy for us."

Sail For a Cure participants receive all the tools they need to be successful fundraisers including a personal fundraising webpage, weekly fundraising communications and support from their program manager, mentor and fellow teammates. The program also provides participants with a connection to the cause in the form of Honorary Skippers, or blood cancer patients and survivors, who share their inspirational stories at trainings and other events. Funds raised support LLS's mission to find a cure for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma and improve the quality of life for patients and their families.

The Sail For a Cure team is forming now and space is limited. To learn more, attend an Information Meeting in May or June (see list below), contact Erin Lutsko at (415) 625-1125, [email protected], or visit http://www.leukemiacup.org/sf/localchapter/sfc.

May 18, 2011, 6:30 p.m.
LLS San Francisco Office
221 Main Street Suite 1650, San Francisco, CA 94105

May 24, 2011, 6:30 p.m.
Sausalito Club Nautique
100 Gate Six Road, Sausalito, CA 94965

May 31, 2011, 6:30 p.m.
Alameda Club Nautique
1150 Ballena Blvd., Alameda, CA 94501

June 7, 2011, 6:30 p.m.
LLS San Francisco Office
221 Main Street Suite 1650, San Francisco, CA 94105

June 9, 2011, 6:30 p.m.
Alameda Club Nautique
221 Main Street Suite 1650, San Francisco, CA 94105

June 14, 2011, 6:30 p.m.
Sausalito Club Nautique
100 Gate Six Road, Sausalito, CA 94965

About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), headquartered in White Plains, NY, with 68 chapters in the United States and Canada, is the world's largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research and providing education and patient services.  The LLS mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.  Since its founding in 1949, LLS has invested more than $750 million in research specifically targeting leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma.

For more information about blood cancer, visit www.LLS.org or call the LLS Information Resource Center (IRC), a call center staffed by master's level social workers, nurses and health educators who provide information, support and resources to patients and their families and caregivers.  IRC information specialists are available at (800) 955-4572, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET.

CONTACT: Erin Lutsko at (415) 625-1125, [email protected] or Megan Kilkenny at (415) 625-1112, [email protected].

SOURCE Leukemia & Lymphoma Society - Greater San Francisco Bay Area Chapter