Steps In Fighting Blood Cancers
Wednesday - July 29, 2009 Share
By Jen McVeay, Hawaii Branch Director
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Sarah was only 1 year old when she was diagnosed with leukemia. Today, at 6, she is healthy, and you’d never know she went through almost three years of chemotherapy. She won her battle with leukemia thanks in large part to the work of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS).
LLS is the world’s largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research, education and patient services. The society’s mission is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and to improve the quality of life for patients and their families.
Since its first funding in 1954, LLS has awarded more than $600 million in research funding and has served thousands of blood cancer patients.
In Hawaii, more than 350 people are currently affected by blood cancers. Patients and their families are provided with information, family support groups, one-on-one “First Connection” counseling with other patients and financial aid.
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Locally, LLS puts on many events to support fundraising, research and patient support. These events include the world’s largest charity sports training program, Team In Training, which trains regular people for marathons, half marathons and triathlons, and allows participants the opportunity to raise funds for the cause.
This year, LLS has added the Tropical Triple Crown, a three-race series that includes the Hibiscus Half Marathon that ran in June, Coconut Chase 8K in July, and the upcoming Mango Days 5K on Saturday, Aug. 9. Additionally, Light the Night is a 2-mile walk to be held Oct. 3 this year at Wet ‘n’ Wild water park. All events are open to runners and walkers of all ages and fitness levels.
LLS is often in need of volunteers. The local staff is small and depends on volunteers to make their fundraising events the best they can be. Monetary and in-kind donations are welcome and can be mailed to:
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, 680 Iwilei Road, Suite 755, Honolulu, HI 96817.
To volunteer, make a donation or get involved with an event, please contact me at 534-1222 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Hawaii charitable organizations may send requests for space in either Proof Positive or the free advertisement below to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Hawaii charitable organizations may send requests for space in either Proof Positive or the free advertisement below to dchapman@midweek.com.
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