September Community Spotlight

The WTOP Charity of the Month is the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is the nation’s largest voluntary health organization dedicated to finding a cure for blood cancer. LLS’s mission is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS has 58 chapters and the National Capital Area Chapter is one of the highest revenue-generating chapters in the nation. The National Capital Area Chapter serves Washington DC; the Maryland counties of Prince George and Montgomery; the Virginia Counties of Loudoun, Fairfax, Arlington, and Prince William, and the city of Alexandria. More than 2,500 patients and families are served by the chapter each year.

Volunteers are the lifeblood of the organization. Thousands of driven, motivated individuals join the fight each year – helping to raise funds and awareness for the nearly one million Americans afflicted with blood cancer. September is Blood Cancer Awareness month – the perfect time to commit yourself to joining LLS for one of their signature campaigns.

This October gather your friends, family and co-workers and illuminate the sky at the Light The Night Walks. Participants across the country walk with illuminated balloons at dusk in support and honor of those fighting blood cancer. Walkers who raise at least $100 are Champions For Cures, and receive a t-shirt, balloon and access to the evening’s entertainment, food and beverages. There are three walks in the Washington, DC area – Saturday, October 1 in Reston, VA; Saturday, October 15 in Washington, DC; and Saturday, October 22 in Montgomery County.

Train To Beat Cancer with Team In Training – the nation’s largest non-profit endurance training program. TNT has trained nearly half a million individuals to complete a marathon, half-marathon, triathlon or century ride, since its inception in 1988. These individuals have raised more than $1 billion for blood cancer research and patient services, helping to save lives one mile at a time. The National Capital Area Chapter is currently recruiting participants for events across the country including the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend, Washington D.C’s SunTrust Rock ‘N’ Roll USA Marathon and CareFirst Rock ‘N’ Roll USA Half Marathon, and the Lavaman Triathlon in Kona, Hawaii.

Teach your children the importance of giving back by getting them involved in the organization’s School & Youth Program. In 2011, local students raised more than $700,000 through the Pennies For Patients Program. For three weeks in February or March, children collect pennies in their classroom, meet blood cancer survivors and learn more about the disease. LLS is currently recruiting schools to participate in the 2012 campaign.

For information on these and other programs including the 2012 Leukemia Ball, the District’s largest non-political black tie, or to make a donation, visit www.lls.org/nca.

The Community Spotlight is sponsored by Papa Johns. Visit them at www.papajohns.com.

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