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Tuesday September 7, 2010

Release Date: 09.07.10 | Location: All Metro Atlanta | Organization: The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

Local family wants to "Stick it 2 Cancer"

Goal is to raise $20,000 for The Light The Night Walk

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Atlanta, August 30, 2010 – John Westmoreland and his wife Torri have supported The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) for more than eight years. Even though they never had a personal connection to the cause, it’s an organization they were passionate about. The couple wanted to help those working to find a cure for kids' cancer. But this year, they became relentless. On February 25th, John was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. At just 37, John started the fight of his life; but he isn’t doing it alone. With the help of Torri and their two children, as well as a huge support network of family, friends, and business associates, John has now completed his final round of chemotherapy to fight the disease. But John also has the support of the organization he has always had faith in.

“Battling cancer is a team effort,” says Torri. “John has Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, but we fight it as a team. And LLS is a big part of our team. In fact, LLS is the first place we called after the diagnosis to get trusted information. And, now that we know so much more about cancer, we are also aware of the unseen ways in which we partner daily with LLS to beat this.”

To help beat it, and to help build awareness about the approximately 913,000 people in the United States living with a blood cancer, the Westmorelands have started Stick It 2 Cancer. The campaign includes innovative ideas to raise awareness, including a vehicle wrap, several out-of-the ordinary fundraisers and a custom t-shirt line for people who "have, had, or hate cancer." Produced at Big Frog in Cumming for the team, the 25 shirt designs include irreverent slogans like "Cancer bites. Bite back." which features a shark graphic, messages that resonate with patients like "You think you're having a bad hair day?" and sports-related graphics like "Pound out cancer" for runners. Proceeds from the group's efforts benefit this year’s Light The Night^® Walk on Saturday, October 9^{t h} at Centennial Olympic Park. The Westmorelands intend to raise $20,000 for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society through these efforts as well as their facebook page (which boasts 1,400 followers this month) and www.stickit2cancer.com.

Light The Night, LLS’s annual fundraising walk held in communities throughout the country, features teams of co-workers, families and friends walking together in twilight holding illuminated balloons – white for survivors, red for supporters and gold to remember those who have died. The Walk, which commemorates lives touched by blood cancers, is a celebration, with music, refreshments and family activities. This year, walks will take place in five cities around the state: Atlanta, Albany, Augusta, Savannah and Athens.

“Light The Night is the nation’s opportunity to pay tribute to lives touched by blood cancer,” said Dick Brown, Executive Director of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Georgia Chapter. “We are grateful to all of our participants for supporting this lifesaving program. We are especially honored by the Westmorelands' hard work over the past eight years to help us find a cure. They are relentless and driven, as we are, and together, we know the funds they raise will help the Society support leading-edge research and provide much-needed patient services.”

In 2009, the Light The Night Walk participants raised more than $39 million nationwide and more than $1.3 million locally. For more information or to register for a local Walk, contact the Georgia Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society at 404.720.7841 or visit www.lightthenight.org/ga.