Honorable Lea Ruskin, former Nassau County District Court Judge, and Mel Ruskin, founding partner of the Uniondale law firm, Ruskin Moscou Faltischek, will be joined by nearly 5,000 Long Islanders to commemorate the more than 1 million Americans affected by blood cancers, by lighting up the Long Island sky with illuminated lanterns at The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Light The Night Walks. The 2014 Light The Night Walks, will take place on October 18 in East Meadow at Eisenhower Park, 1899 Hempstead Turnpike; and on October 25 in Central Islip at Ducks Stadium, 3 Courthouse Drive.
The Ruskin’s know all too well the importance of funding advances in blood cancer research. In March, 2013, Lea was diagnosed with Mantle Cell Lymphoma, a blood cancer that is usually already widespread throughout the body when diagnosed. Lea underwent nearly a full year of treatment – including chemotherapy, radiation, stem cell extraction and replacement – and is now a survivor in full remission.
Mel emphasized how determined he and Lea are to help raise awareness through Light The Night: “One of the things that impacted us the most, was the very sick children we encountered during Lea’s treatment. We never questioned Lea’s lymphoma, because cancer happens to a lot of people. But when leukemia strikes children, the leading cause of cancer deaths for kids under the age of 15, it is a call to action. That’s just one of the reasons why we walk”.
An estimated combined total of 149,990 people in the U.S. were expected to have been diagnosed with leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma last year. Unlike many other forms of cancer, there are no means of preventing or screening for these diseases, so LLS focuses on finding cures and ensuring access to treatments for current patients.
Last year, nearly $60 million was raised through Light The Night Walks in more than 200 communities in North America–$763,000 million in Long Island alone. Long Islanders hope to raise $1 million for blood cancer research and patient services through the Light the Night Walks on October 18 and October 25.
“Light The Night is the nation’s opportunity to pay tribute to lives touched by blood cancer,” says Sara Lipsky, Executive Director of LLS Long Island Chapter. “We are grateful to Mel, Lea, and all of our participants for supporting this lifesaving program. The funds raised help LLS support leading-edge research and provide much-needed patient services.”
To form a team or learn more, please call the Long Island Chapter at 631-370-7540 or visit www.lightthenight.org/li<http://www.lightthenight.org/li>.
