Miranda Cosgrove Serves As National Ambassador for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's 2012 Light The Night Walks

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., May 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Actress and singer-songwriter Miranda Cosgrove has been named The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's National Ambassador for its 2012 Light The Night® Walks and appears in a new public service announcement to promote this important fundraising campaign.

"I will walk for my grandmother in hopes of a healthy recovery," said Cosgrove. "I will walk for my fans -- those teens who have battled leukemia -- the most common cancer in teens my age.  The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is making it possible for blood cancer patients of all ages to live longer, better lives."

In the PSA, Cosgrove asks us to imagine a world without blood cancer and join LLS at Light The Night walks all across the country to push for breakthroughs in new and more effective treatments. Cosgrove is seen walking down a park path under a starry night sky.  With every step the forest around her begins to light up, swelling to a beautiful red glow at its brightest.

Cosgrove has started a national Light The Night fundraising team to mobilize her fans across the country.  Supporters are encouraged to join her team by registering for their local walk at www.lightthenight.org/mirandacosgrove.

Light The Night Walk is the largest charity evening walk, attracting more than 250,000 participants annually.  Because of fundraising efforts like Light The Night, LLS is the single largest nonprofit contributor to blood cancer research. LLS provides financial aid, co-pay assistance and invaluable information on treatment options to cancer patients.

"Miranda Cosgrove is an extremely talented and popular young star and we are so grateful that she is giving her time and energy to support The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Light The Night Walk," said Nancy L. Klein, LLS's chief marketing and revenue officer. "LLS is funding the most promising blood cancer research around the world and with the support of participants in campaigns such as Light The Night we are beating cancer," Klein said.

Critical treatment innovations have originated through blood cancer research, including radiation, chemotherapy, stem cell transplantation, and new-targeted therapies, and significant progress continues to be made. Half of the cancer drugs approved by the FDA in the last decade were first approved to treat patients with blood cancer, and many of these drugs are now being used and/or showing promise as treatments for patients with solid tumors and serious autoimmune diseases.

To find out more about forming a team or participating in Light The Night Walk visit www.lightthenight.org or call 877-LTN-WALK. To post and share the video click here.

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) 772-3027
[email protected]

SOURCE The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society