Michael C. Hall Asks People to 'Walk as if Their Life Depended on It' in New Broadcast PSA for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., June 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- A new public service announcement released by The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) features award-winning actor Michael C. Hall who encourages people to participate in LLS's Light The Night® Walk events this fall.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110215/NY48642LOGO )

In the PSA entitled 'Walk As if Your Life Depended on It,' Hall shares his personal experience of surviving Hodgkin lymphoma, and urges people to walk and raise funds to support LLS's vital cancer research.   You see Hall walking alone in a peaceful setting along a forest trail.  He explains how like so many, he has benefited from this important work.

"The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society pours a tremendous amount of money directly into research," says Hall. "Participating in the 'Light the Night' walk is an invaluable shared experience."

The 60:, 30: and 15: second spots will be distributed nationally to television stations across the country.  A print version will appear in national magazines starting this summer.   The PSA was produced and directed by filmmaker Jesse Dylan.   To view the PSA go to www.lightthenight.org.

LLS's Light The Night Walk is the largest cancer fundraising evening walk in the country, attracting more than 250,000 participants annually. Participants raised more than $45 million last year alone to support lifesaving cancer research and patient services.  LLS is the single largest nonprofit contributor to blood cancer research and provided more than $40 million in financial aid and co-pay assistance to cancer patients this year alone.

Forty years ago, a child's chance of surviving leukemia was only three percent. Today, thanks to advances in treatments, nine of out 10 children diagnosed with leukemia survive. Hodgkin lymphoma patient survival rates have more than doubled to 88% since the 1960s.

LLS-funded advances are also helping patients beyond those with blood cancer, including those with solid tumors and autoimmune diseases. Most cancer treatment innovations such as radiation, chemotherapy and stem-cell transplantation all started with blood cancers. And almost half of the cancer drugs approved by the FDA during the past decade were originally for blood cancer, and were later approved or are now being tested to treat other cancers and serious diseases.

"We are so grateful for Michael C. Hall's participation in this year's Light The Night fundraiser for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society," said Nancy L. Klein, LLS's chief marketing and revenue officer. "His empowering message inspires us and strengthens our dedication to help patients live longer, better lives," Klein said.

To find out more about forming a team or participating in Light The Night Walk visit www.lightthenight.org or call 877-LTN-WALK.

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.

Contact: Andrea Greif
(914) 821-8958
andrea.greif@lls.org

SOURCE The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society