Join Mike and LLS to help fight Blood Cancers

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.

Did you know that Funds raised by walkers provide:

• Lifesaving blood cancer research
• Financial assistance to cover patient expenses for transportation, medication and testing
• Free educational materials and events for patients and their families
• Local programs such as Family Support Groups and First Connection, a peer-to-peer counseling program
• Comprehensive, personalized assistance through our Information Resource Center

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. These treatments have helped patients live better, longer lives. New targeted therapies that kill cancer cells without harming normal tissue are providing drugs and procedures that are improving quality of life.

• 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 my Web site frequently to see my progress, and thanks for your support!

FAQs

What is Light The Night Walk?

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS's) Light The Night Walk is the nation's night to pay tribute and bring hope to people battling cancer. The annual fundraising event, typically held in the fall, brings communities together to celebrate and commemorate lives touched by cancer.

What do the balloon colors mean?

During the Walk, walkers carry illuminated balloons in three colors: white balloons are carried by survivors; red balloons by supporters; gold ones are carried by walkers who are walking in memory of loved ones lost to cancer.

How long is the route?

Actual distances vary by route and city. Contact your local chapter for the exact distance. A leisurely pace is the norm on this walk, which takes under an hour to complete.

How can my company participate?

Companies participate by organizing teams of employees, including their friends, neighbors and family members, to raise money and walk in the event.

How difficult is it to organize a team?

It's not hard at all! Once you appoint a team captain to act as a liaison between LLS and your organization, we will provide all the materials and guidelines to ensure success in building a successful Light The Night team.

How many people do we need to form a team?

We recommend that a team consist of at least 10 people, raising a minimum of $2,000, which is an average of $200 per person. You can have a team with fewer than 10 walkers, but most teams have many more. The more walkers on a team, the more fun it is!

Is team membership limited to employees of the company?

No. Team participation is encouraged among employees' families, friends and neighbors. The magical and uplifting setting of Light The Night creates a fun, wholesome event that brings co-workers and their families together outside the office for the purpose of helping others.

Does having a team require some kind of corporate donation?

Corporate donations are encouraged but not required. The majority of contributions will be generated by your individual team members. However, corporate matching gifts can enhance employee fundraising efforts.

Can we have more than one team captain?

Yes, your team can have multiple team captains. Your company can create a friendly competition among departments or branch sites by recruiting a team captain from each department or floor. It is a great way to generate enthusiasm and friendly competition for a worthy cause.

What if some of our walkers want to participate at one Walk site and some other walkers at another?

No problem. We suggest appointing a team captain to lead a team at one Walk site and another team captain for the other Walk site.

What can senior management at my company do to facilitate building a Light The Night Walk team?

Management can encourage team participation in a number of ways:

• Sign up for the team
• Draft and distribute a company-wide memo or email endorsing Light The Night
• Authorize/host company-wide recruitment, information meetings and an internal kickoff
• Purchase T-shirts or other incentives to promote their company's commitment to Light The Night Walk
• Solicit company vendors for contributions toward the team

How are funds raised by a Light The Night team?

Individual team members are responsible for setting goals and raising funds from co-workers, friends, neighbors and family members who wish to back the team and support the cause. Each walker automatically receives an online fundraising page upon registration. You can use this page to solicit donors and have them support you via online donations. Teams can also conduct special events to raise funds. The average LTN walker raises $200.

How is the money collected?

Each team member is responsible for collecting funds from supporters and giving them to the team captain, who forwards them to LLS. Funds raised online are automatically credited to the walker and distributed to the appropriate LLS chapter.

When do we have to register?

The sooner the better! The sooner you get started with your recruitment efforts and fundraising activities, the better. Our major recruitment phase begins in April, but we know that some companies like to get these events on the calendar earlier in the year.

Where are fundraising tips and ideas?

When you register, we will receive your own efundraising page. This page will be filled with great fundraising tips, ideas, samples and instructions on how to create a personal fundraising Web page. You can use the site as is or add your own photos and messaging. Then, email your contacts a link to your site and watch the dollars start coming in! It's fun and simple to do.

How is the money used?

Proceeds from Light The Night Walk help advance our mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's lymphoma and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. This mission is carried out through funding extensive research for treatments, cures, government advocacy, patient assistance programs, community outreach and education programs.

Are pets, strollers, bicycles and inline skaters allowed to participate?

Please check with your chapter staff for their policy on pets. Strollers and wheelchairs are welcome. However, for everyone's safety, bicycles, inline skates, wheelie footwear, skateboards and scooters are not allowed.

What happens if it rains?

The Walk is held rain or shine.

Can someone talk to our team about Light The Night?

Yes. LLS has staff members who would be more than happy to meet with you and your team to talk about Light The Night. In addition, we have a Light The Night video that highlights personal stories and shows footage from previous Light The Night Walk events. Contact your local chapter to arrange a visit.