Thousands Bring Light to the Darkness of Cancer-
(St. Louis, MO, September 29, 2018) – Illuminated lanterns lit up the sky on September 29th
as The Leukemia &Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Gateway Chapter held its 20th annual Light
The Night® Walk at Forest Park’s Cricket Field to bring light to the darkness of cancer
through research and cures. Collectively, participants raised an astonishing $1.4 million for
LLS’s mission— to find cures for blood cancers and ensure that patients have access to
lifesaving treatments.
Light The Night is a series of fundraising campaigns benefiting LLS and their funding of
research to find blood cancer cures. Coming together for a common goal, friends, family and co-
workers form fundraising walk teams and gather together to celebrate, honor or remember those
touched by cancer. Millions of consumers also help by donating at retail outlets. Culminating in
inspiration and memorable evening walks every fall, participants in 140 communities across
North America join together carrying illuminated lanterns to take steps to end cancer – white for
survivors, red for supporters and gold in memory of loved ones lost to cancer.
This year’s Light The Night walks across the nation will encompass a new event day experience
including:
Fireworks, a spectacular display will light up the dark sky in celebration and support of
survivors and the strides LLS is making to find cures;
Survivor Circle, where survivors celebrate by taking part in an inspiring survivor
ceremony where they raise their white lanterns in unison as the white beam of hope
reaches up to the sky, illuminating the darkness;
Remembrance Pavilion, for those who have lost family, friends and co-workers to come
together to celebrate their memory and leave tributes to their loved ones.
Gateway’s Light The Night walk began with a ceremony featuring 2018 Honored Heroes, Joy
and Jaxon who are battling T-Cell ALL and ALL Type B respectively. Both Honored Heroes
shared the stage with the St. Louis Light The Night Walk Chair and Chairman and CEO of Stifel,
Ron Kruszewski. “I am pleased to chair an event that brings hope to so many,” said Mr.
Kruszewski. “It is very rewarding to see our community rally behind a great cause. The results
are impactful, too, with 12 new FDA-approved blood cancer treatments this year alone. We are
grateful to everyone for their participation and contributions.”
“At Light The Night, it is our aim to bring light to the darkness of cancer through research and
cures that are saving the lives of patients,” said Debbie Kersting, LLS Executive Director.
“When we walk, cancer runs, and every step we take brings us one step closer to finding cures.”
To learn more about LLS’s Light The Night Walk, please call the Gateway Chapter at
314.590.2230 or visit www.lightthenight.org/gateway for more information.
About The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
The Leukemia and 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, provides free information and support services, and is
the voice for all blood cancer patients seeking access to quality, affordable, coordinated care.
Founded in 1949 and headquartered in Rye Brook, NY, LLS has chapters throughout the United
States and Canada. To learn more, visit www.LLS.org. Patients should contact the Information
Resource Center at (800) 955-4572, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET.
For additional information visit lls.org/lls-newsnetwork.
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Facebook.com/gatewayLLS
Twitter: @GatewayLLS
Instagram: lls_gateway
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