"Thanks to you, my sister is still able to be my best friend."

-Caroline Watters (left); acute myelogenous leukemia survivor, who recieved a life-saving bone marrow transplant from her sister, Lisette (right)

Every year approximately 140,000 Americans, including 4,500 children, are diagnosed with a blood cancer. While the survival rate for pediatric leukemia has increased from 14% to 88% and most children now survive leukemia, it is still the leading cause of cancer death among children and young adults.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Light The Night Walk funds lifesaving research and support for all those battling cancer. Last year, Light The Night NYC raised more than $3.2 million. It is because of the thousands of people like us that LLS is able to take steps toward a world without cancer.

Apple seeds is inspired to make a difference by the stories of people like Caroline Watters, who was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia in December of 2001 at the age of two. As part of her treatment, Caroline received high doses of chemotherapy to kill leukemia cells so that she could receive a bone marrow transplant. Fortunately for Caroline, her four-year-old sister, Lisette, was a perfect match. Caroline has been cancer-free for eight years now! Caroline is not only a beautiful and energetic 11-year-old, but also a healthy one thanks to her big sister’s help and supporters of LLS.

Please DONATE, REGISTER, VOLUNTEEER today.

Light The Night Walk is The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's evening walk and fundraising event. It is the nation's night to pay tribute and bring hope to thousands of people battling blood cancers and to commemorate loved ones lost.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) funds lifesaving research that has contributed to major advances in the treatment of blood cancers and treatments for other types of cancer, such as chemotherapy and stem cell transplants. New targeted therapies that kill cancer cells without harming normal tissue are providing drugs and procedures that are improving quality of life.

In fact, in 2009 alone, LLS researchers were conducting more than 90 clinical trials, a critical step in the development of new treatments and cures that will help patients live better, longer lives.

• A donation of $25 provides patients and their loved ones with FREE booklets that contain up-to-date information on their disease and help them make informed decisions about their treatment options.
• A donation of $50 makes possible a Family Support group with a trained facilitator where comfort can be found and experiences can be shared among patients and family members.
• A donation of $100 helps supply laboratory researchers with supplies and materials critical to carrying out their search for cures.
• A donation of $1,000 makes possible one- on-one conversations with health care specialists who provide patients with information about their disease, treatment options, and helps prepare them with questions for their health care team.

Please make a donation to support my participation in the Light The Night Walk and help save lives. Be sure to check our Web site frequently to see my progress, and thanks for your support!