Sarah Cannon Blood Cancer Network Lights The Night To Advance Blood Cancer Care

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. and NASHVILLE, Tenn., Sept. 22, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Sarah Cannon Blood Cancer Network, one of the largest providers of care for blood cancer patients, has expanded its partnership with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), the world's largest voluntary health organization dedicated to blood cancer cures and access to treatments to raise awareness about blood cancer and help fund significant research needed for these cancers.

Sarah Cannon, the global cancer enterprise of Hospital Corporation of America (HCA), has partnered with LLS for the second consecutive year as a national sponsor, doubling its sponsorship, for one of LLS's flagship fundraising campaigns, Light The Night Walk, an inspiring event that takes place in communities across the country each fall.  Light The Night has helped LLS invest more than $1 billion in research to advance breakthrough blood cancer treatments.

"At Sarah Cannon, we are committed to advancing therapies for blood cancer patients by delivering the highest quality care through the integration of training, research, patient navigation, and cutting-edge technology," said Sarah Cannon CEO Dee Anna Smith. "We are proud to stand with LLS to promote progress in research and to elevate patient care standards with the collective mission to build a world free of blood cancer."

Smith has been on LLS's Executive Committee with the Tennessee Chapter for three consecutive years.  She served as the 2014 Light The Night Corporate Walk chair and is serving currently in that role for the 2015 campaign.

The Sarah Cannon Blood Cancer Network is one of the largest providers of blood cancer care including blood and marrow transplantations in the U.S. and U.K. The network conducts more than 900 transplants each year and has treated more than 10,000 patients since its inception in 1993.

LLS's president and CEO Dr. Louis J. DeGennaro, said, "The Sarah Cannon Blood Cancer Network and LLS are a perfect fit given our mutual focus on touching patients directly with care and support services, facilitating enrollment in clinical trials, and advancing research from bench to bedside to develop new, lifesaving therapies. Sarah Cannon's support of Light The Night Walk will bring much needed awareness to blood cancers and the need to invest in cures and ensure patients have access to treatments."

Sarah Cannon Cancer Network has facilities and programs in many Light The Night Walk communities, including its headquarters in Nashville, as well as its Denver, San Antonio, Austin, Dallas, Kansas City, Oklahoma City, New Orleans and London markets.

Sarah Cannon and Light The Night

In 2014, Sarah Cannon was the number four national team and had 62 Light The Night Walk teams across their system, with 2,666 registered walkers who raised $624,130. The top local team was Sarah Cannon Nashville raising $131,685.

This year, Sarah Cannon will have Light The Night Walk teams in the following locations: Nashville, TN; Denver, CO; Texas cities San Antonio, Austin, Frisco and Dallas; Kansas City, MO; Las Vegas, NV; Oklahoma City and Tulsa, OK; Richmond, VA; Salt Lake City, UT and New Orleans, LA.

About The Sarah Cannon Blood Cancer Network
The Sarah Cannon Blood Cancer Network is one of the largest providers of blood cancer care including blood and marrow transplantation (BMT) across the United States and United Kingdom. Its network conducts more than 900 transplants annually through seven FACT accredited transplant centers and has treated more than 10,000 patients since the inception of its first program. Through its commitment to the highest level of quality standards, infrastructure, technology, training and research, the Sarah Cannon Blood Cancer Network provides an unparalleled experience for patients seeking treatment. For more information about the Blood Cancer Network and Sarah Cannon's full suite of oncology services, visit sarahcannon.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, provides free information and support services, and is the voice for all blood cancer patients seeking access to quality, affordable, coordinated care.

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 should contact the Information Resource Center at (800) 955-4572, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET.

About Light The Night
The Light The Night Walk funds lifesaving research and support for people battling cancer. Friends, families and co-workers form fundraising teams, and millions of consumers help by donating at retail outlets. These efforts culminate each fall in inspirational, memorable evening Walks in nearly 200 communities across North America. Participants carry illuminated lanterns – white for survivors, red for supporters and gold in memory of loved ones lost to cancer. Anyone big, small, young or old can shine a light on the importance of finding cures and ensuring access to treatments for blood cancer patients.

For more information about dates, locations and times, contact your local LLS chapter, call 877.LTN.WALK or visit www.LightTheNight.org.

Contact:
Kristin Hoose
914.821.8973
kristin.hoose@lls.org

SOURCE The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society