After more than 75 years as the leading nonprofit advancing blood cancer research, patient support, and access to care, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is becoming Blood Cancer United. The new name better reflects its mission and the full community it serves.
Founded in 1949 by Rudolph and Antoinette de Villiers after the loss of their son Robert to leukemia, the organization has continually evolved its strategy and vision to meet the needs of the blood cancer community, according to Jaclyn Gilbride, Campaign Development Director for Community Initiatives in Metro New York.
“With the name The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, we’ve been identifying just two types of blood cancer when there are 100-plus different types of blood cancer,” Gilbride says. “Blood Cancer United better reflects both the inclusive scope of our work and our role as a unifying force — bringing together patients, families, caregivers, researchers, clinicians, volunteers, and advocates to advance cures and improve quality of life.”
Blood Cancer United is a national organization with global reach, funding research across 30 U.S. states and 12 countries.
“From the very beginning, our mission has been to drive research and deliver better treatments for people with blood cancer,” says Gilbride. “When the organization was founded, a diagnosis was essentially a death sentence — there were no treatment options. That’s why we put research at the center. Today, we remain the global leader in this space, having invested more than $1.8 billion in groundbreaking research to change outcomes and save lives.”
Over the years, the organization has broadened its mission to ensure a better experience for cancer patients and their families.
“Research has always been our foundation, but over time we’ve expanded to ensure patients and caregivers have the information, support, and resources they need throughout the cancer journey,” says Gilbride. “Today, we not only drive scientific breakthroughs but also provide education, financial assistance, and free essential services to help families navigate treatment — and life beyond — blood cancer.”
Another pillar of Blood Cancer United’s mission is advancing policy and advocacy. Since the inception of their Equity in Access Research Program, more than $12.1 million has been invested — working to enhance understanding of how health insurance affects access to care, and to implement and evaluate interventions designed to improve therapeutic clinical trial enrollment, particularly among underrepresented groups.
“We were successfully helping bring new treatments to market, but realized that progress meant little if patients couldn’t access them,” says Gilbride. “Too many in our community were still facing barriers to care, and that’s something we need to focus on changing.”
Light the Night: An Opportunity to Bring Hope, Healing, and Support for the Blood Cancer Community
The organization will once again host its annual fundraiser, Light the Night, on Saturday, October 18, at 5:30 p.m. at Eisenhower Park’s Lakeside Theater. The event is one of roughly 60 held nationwide this fall.
“It brings people together to honor, remember, and celebrate lives touched by cancer,” says Gilbride.
At dusk, thousands of participants will carry illuminated lanterns: white lanterns for survivors and patients, red for supporters, and gold in memory of loved ones.
“It creates a powerful display of hope and solidarity in our movement to bring light to the darkness of cancer,” says Gilbride.
Throughout the evening, attendees can learn more about the organization, connect with patients and survivors, and honor the memory of loved ones. Younger participants can enjoy a dedicated kids’ zone with a bounce house and other activities, making it a true multi-generational experience.
The opening ceremony begins at 7 p.m., with the signature lantern lighting, followed by a walk around the lake. The evening concludes with a spectacular fireworks show, generously produced and donated by Fireworks by Grucci.
“Every part of the evening shines with hope, awareness, and celebration—made possible by the incredible impact of participants, both through their fundraising efforts beforehand and their presence on the night itself,” says Gilbride.
Light The Night is special because of the people — their stories, their strength — and the unifying spirit of coming together to give back. The Wood family embodies that spirit. This year’s event is chaired by Adam Wood, Financial Advisor and Vice President at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, whose daughter, Penny, was diagnosed at age 8 with leukemia.
“During her treatment, Penny served as our 2024 Light The Night Honored Hero, inspiring us all with her courage. I’m thrilled to share that she just completed her treatment and is officially cancer-free,” says Gilbride.
In August, Penny marked the milestone by ringing the bell at Cohen Children’s Medical Center, a cherished tradition symbolizing closure, hope, and new beginnings.
Fueling the Mission: $1.1 Million Today for a Million More Years of Life
The goal of Long Island’s Light the Night is to reach $1.1 million.
“Participation from individuals, teams, and companies is the collective force that drives us toward this goal. That’s why initiatives like Light the Night are so critical to our mission,” says Gilbride.
By the year 2040, Blood Cancer United will enable patients with blood cancers to gain more than one million years of life.
“This number represents an aggregate of the years we can add to our patients’ lives when we accelerate cures and treatments, invest in breakthrough capabilities, and continue driving access to care for all,” Gilbride says.
Blood cancers, particularly leukemia and lymphoma, are among the most common cancers in children, adolescents, and young adults. “Because of that, we strive even more to make sure that there are nontoxic and lifesaving treatments available for our community,” Gilbride says.
Every three minutes, someone in the U.S. is diagnosed with a blood cancer, and survival rates for certain types remain unacceptably low. Despite the organization’s successes, the need for action is as great as ever.
Join us at Light The Night on October 18 and help turn $1.1 million today into a million more years of life. Visit lightthenight.org/metny to get involved, and lls.org for patient or caregiver support.
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