Friday, September 10th, 2010

With President Lewis Walker serving as corporate walk chair for 2010, Lawrence Tech’s students, faculty and staff are teaming up to make a big fundraising splash at the Metro Detroit Light the Night Walk in Royal Oak on Sept. 24 to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Join the Blue Devil team at http://pages.lightthenight.org/mi/DetroitL10/LawrenceTech and join the walk at Memorial Park at Woodward Ave. and 13 Mile in Royal Oak on Friday, Sept. 24, at 6 p.m.

Check-in will start at 6 p.m. and the program will begin at 6:45 p.m. The Walk will start at 7 p.m. and spans one mile, as participants of all ages and fitness levels carry illuminated balloons: white for patients and survivors, red for supporters and gold for teams who walk in memory of loved ones lost.

Dean of Students Kevin Finn and Assistant Provost for Enrollment Lisa Kujawa helped organize a kick-off barbeque for the Lawrence Tech team at University North Housing on Aug. 5. The Office of Student Engagement raised money for the cause by raffling off a pair of highly coveted tickets for the Eminem/Jay-Z concert at Comerica Park on Sept. 3. 

In addition, the Enrollment/Admissions office has hosted several fundraisers within the office including a pop can drive, snack sale and a silent auction.  Student groups, such as Circle K, a volunteer organization on campus, have set up fundraising nights at nearby restaurants, all in hopes of finding a cure for blood cancers.

“Light The Night is such an incredible event that brings together local residents, companies and supporters to show patients, survivors and families that they are not alone in their fight against cancer,” says LLS Metro Detroit Campaign Coordinator Stephanie Holland. “It is very inspirational to see so many walk participants come together to support a cause that affects so many.”

Over 1,500 people are expected to walk at this year’s event in an attempt to raise $239,400 to continue blood cancer research, patient services and advocacy efforts in Michigan.

The event is a festival-like atmosphere with food catered by Qdoba and hot dogs by Wolverine Packing Co. Snacks will be donated by Detroit Popcorn Company and Nino Salvaggio. The Douglas J Aveda Institute and Traci’s Therapeutic Massage will provide massages for the adults while Bozo John John, Sandy’s Land Face Painting and Tea Party Castle will provide entertainment for the kids. Janelle Sekol, 2010 Ms. Lawrence Tech, will be in attendance alongside the Plymouth Whalers mascot, Shooter.

Local sponsors include: Real Estate One, Macquaire Group Foundation, Prairie Farms Dairy, Symetra Financial, Johnson Controls, Quest Diagnostics and Burlington Coat Factory.

There will also be a bone marrow drive for those who wish to join the registry.

Please visit www.lightthenight.org/mi for more information and to register for the Metro Detroit Walk or contact Stephanie Holland at (248) 581-3898 or stephanie.holland@lls.org.

This year’s Light the Night honored hero is nine-year-old Allie Ziniti, who had to give up playing sports because of joint pain and swelling. After many trips to the doctor to find out the cause of her pain, she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia on August 2009 and has gone through several phases of chemotherapy and radiation. Her maintenance chemotherapy and treatment will continue until November 2011.

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

Founded in 1949 and headquartered in White Plains, NY, LLS has chapters throughout the United States and Canada. To learn more, visit www.lls.org or contact the Information Resource Center at (800) 955-4572, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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