Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Celebrates Over $1.2M in Fundraising for the 'Light the Night Walk' Campaign

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Light The Night Walk Hollywood

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) December 17, 2013

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is celebrating the successful culmination of this year's Light The Night Walk fund raising campaign.

Picture 3,000 walkers headed down Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood carrying lighted balloons – quite a sight on a Saturday night. That was the scene during one of four Light the Night Walks held to raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, an organization dedicated to wiping out blood cancers. The Walks made up the Greater Los Angeles area effort to collect funds for continuing research into more effective therapies and cures, and for support systems that help patients and their families cope during and after treatment.

Held yearly, similar Light The Night Walks take place in communities all around the country. The L.A. area Walks were an enormous success, bringing in over one and a quarter million dollars to date. Fund raising inspired by the Walks will continue through the end of December.

"We are so heartened by the generosity of all involved. The money collected makes a huge difference for those affected by these diseases and keeps us headed toward our ultimate goal – a world without cancer," said LLS Los Angeles Chapter Campaign Director, Nichole Guzman, standing outside of the Sunset Gower studios along the Hollywood route, high-fiving and cheering on walkers.

The four walks, produced for LLS by Sunday Sol Events, were held in Ventura, Hollywood, Santa Clarita, and Woodland Hills. Roughly 6,500 walkers participated. Light The Night Walk events take place in the evening starting around 5:00. As walkers arrive, they check in and receive T-shirts and balloons, and can participate in a formal Remembrance Ceremony and enjoy other activities such as the Kids Zone, food trucks, a Survivor Tent, banner decorating, vendors, music, and more. Once the sun sets, an Opening Ceremony takes place and the walkers take to the streets. All along the pre-planned route, they are energized by DJs, bands, cheerleaders, and supporters, celebrating their spirit and thanking them for their efforts. Walkers carry illuminated balloons in three colors: red for supporters, white for survivors, and gold to honor the memory of someone lost to cancer.

Blood cancers are insidious and there are literally hundreds of distinct types. They are not caused by any lifestyle choice, are unpreventable, and can strike anyone of any age, any race, male and female alike. In the Light the Night Walk campaign, individuals and corporate sponsors join to contribute money, time, and footsteps to raise awareness and dollars toward the fight.

The events bring help and hope to people battling blood cancers and to the families and friends who support them. In the past six decades, the survival rates for many blood cancers have doubled, tripled, or for some types, quadrupled largely due to continuing research made possible by people like those who participate in Light The Night Walk and other campaigns.

"It's an honor to work with LLS; the mission of this research-based organization is so impactful. Thanks to LLS, people are living longer lives - despite the serious nature of the cause, we try to bring fun and inspiration to the participants and are rewarded to see the results," says Michelle French, owner of Sunday Sol Events. The company looks forward to working with LLS again next year in both the Orange County and Greater Los Angeles Chapters.

Anyone wishing to make a donation should go to http://www.lightthenight.org/los/ or call 310-342-5841

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 for patients and their families. LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research around the world and provides free information and support services.

The Greater Los Angeles Chapter is located at 6033 West Century Boulevard, Suite 300, Los Angeles, CA 90045

The Orange County/Inland Empire Chapter is located at 765 The City Drive South Suite 260 Orange, CA 92868

About Sunday Sol Events
Sunday Sol Events is an event planning company specializing in work with non-profit organizations. The company produces all types of events including charity walks, golf tournaments, galas, and auctions, and assists with other facets of production including video creation, auctioneering, and hosting/emcee services. Sunday Sol Events works seamlessly with organizations coordinating and supporting their generous efforts to achieve their mission and goals. Clients include Orange County United Way, Orangewood Children’s Foundation, the St. Joseph Hospital Foundation, and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Sunday Sol Events is located in Huntington Beach, CA.

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