The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) Presents Sir Ben Ainslie - Olympic Gold Medalist & America's Cup Winner - as Guest Speaker at Leukemia Cup Regatta

Hosted by San Francisco Yacht Club October 19-20

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 9, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is pleased to announce that Olympic gold medalist and America's Cup winner, Sir Ben Ainslie, and National Leukemia Cup Regatta Chairman, Gary Jobson, will be attending the eighth annual Leukemia Cup Regatta on October 19-20, 2013 at The San Francisco Yacht Club (SFYC) in Belvedere, Calif. The Leukemia Cup Regatta supports 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.

Ainslie has well demonstrated in his career as a professional sailor what it takes to rise up against diversity and fight to the end, most recently in his role as tactician in the 34^th America's Cup where he and the crew on Oracle Team USA turned around a 1-7 score to win the America's Cup with a final score of 9-8 against Emirates Team New Zealand. The Leukemia Cup Regatta is privileged that Ainslie will be a part of this year's fundraising action as he shares the details of Oracle's outstanding comeback, as well as his career as an Olympic sailor.

Ainslie brings his winning instinct to the table for a number of charities he supports including the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation and Sported, closing the gap between what he has accomplished on the water and helping people lead better lives.

"When you're fortunate enough to do something you really love as a profession, it's a real privilege," Ainslie said. "So, it's important to me to get involved and give back both inside and outside of sailing, as with the Leukemia Cup Regatta."

The Leukemia Cup Regatta begins on October 19 with a nearly sold out VIP Dinner with Ainslie as guest speaker. On October 20, the Regatta and cruising photo treasure hunt will begin at 12 p.m. PT in tandem with the Opti Green Fleet Youth Regatta. Immediately following racing, the awards ceremony and Gosling's Rum deck party celebration will be hosted at the SFYC.

Registration is available at www.leukemiacup.org/gba and registrants for the youth regatta, ages 8-16, can contact [email protected]. You may also view the 2013 local sponsors here.

For more information on the Leukemia Cup Regatta, visit www.leukemiacup.org/gba.

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 Walk, School & Youth, 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.

SOURCE Leukemia & Lymphoma Society - Greater Bay Area Chapter