The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Gets Ready to Light the Night in San Jose to Help Save Lives
Thousands to Walk at Avaya Stadium to Raise Funds for Blood Cancer Research
SAN JOSE, Calif., Sept. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is gearing up for the Silicon Valley Light The Night Walk on October 22, 2016 at a brand-new venue, Avaya Stadium, home of the San Jose Earthquakes. Thousands are expected to walk and raise funds to support treatments and research that are saving the lives of cancer patients today.
The Silicon Valley Light The Night Walk will kick off with food and festivities at 5 p.m. Opening Ceremonies begin at 6:45 p.m. and the walk will start at 7 p.m. Festivities will include music, dinner for the Champions for Cures, a team photo area, kid-friendly activities, a Remembrance Pavilion featuring the stories of Remembered Heroes, a Survivor Lounge and more. During the walk, participants symbolically light the dark world of cancer by carrying illuminated lanterns to show how their lives have been affected by cancer: red for supporters, white for survivors, and gold for those walking in memory of a loved one lost to cancer.
The walk will also recognize an Honored Hero, a local blood cancer patient who is recognized for his bravery and courage. This year, the Silicon Valley Light The Night Walk Honored Hero is Liam, diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) at only one and a half years old.
For Blood Cancer Awareness Month this September, LLS reminds us that despite progress, much work still needs to be done to save more lives. More than 1.2 million people in the U.S. are living with or in remission from a blood cancer. Leukemia causes more deaths than any other cancer among children, adolescents and adults younger than 20 years. Leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma are expected to cause the deaths of an estimated 58,320 people in the U.S. in 2016.
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"The Light The Night Walk is our flagship fundraiser, bringing together families and communities to honor cancer survivors and those lost to the disease. The event also highlights the importance of finding new treatments through research, and of providing access to therapies for patients," said LLS Executive Director Courtney Karnes. "Join us as we Light The Night with hope, and bring help and support to those affected by blood cancer."
Learn more:
- Register for the Silicon Valley Light the Night Walk
- Read more about Honored Hero Liam
- Donate to the Light the Night Campaign
About Light the Night
The Light the Night Walk is a family-friendly, non-competitive, two-mile walk route and is accessible to all fitness levels. There is no minimum for fundraising, but participants who raise $100 or more will become a Champion for Cures and will receive a t-shirt, dinner and an illuminated lantern on the night of the walk. Walkers who receive an illuminated lantern will show how their lives have been affected by blood cancer – white if they're a survivor, red if they're a supporter and gold if they're walking in memory of a loved one. Cancer survivors in attendance at all Light the Night Walks are honored guests and will receive these items regardless of their fundraising level.
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 for patients and their loved ones.
Major LLS fundraising campaigns include Team in Training, Light the Night, Student Series, Man & Woman of the Year and Leukemia Cup Regatta. To reach the widest possible audience, LLS partners with national and regional level companies and brands, including Nike, Disney, Burlington 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.
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SOURCE Leukemia & Lymphoma Society - Silicon Valley Chapter
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