Dexter star Michael C. Hall has been named the lead Ambassador for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) 2011 Light The Night Walks to raise funds for high-impact cancer research and crucial patient services.
Hall appears in a new public service announcement campaign titled ‘Walk As if Your Life Depended on It,’ produced and directed by filmmaker, Jesse Dylan. Successfully treated for Hodgkin lymphoma in 2010, Hall shares his personal experience and encourages people to walk in support of this important cancer fundraiser.
“The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society pours a tremendous amount of money directly into cutting-edge cancer research – research that I’ve certainly benefited from,” says Hall. “It’s an organization that you can be confident is at the forefront of moving things forward.”
Light The Night Walk is the largest cancer fundraising evening walk in the country, attracting more than 250,000 participants annually. Because of fundraising efforts like Light The Night, LLS is the single largest nonprofit contributor to blood cancer research. Additionally, LLS provides more than $20 million in financial aid and co-pay assistance to cancer patients annually.
“We are so grateful for Michael C. Hall’s participation in this year’s Light The Night fundraiser for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society,” said Nancy L. Klein, LLS’s chief marketing and revenue officer. “His empowering message inspires us and strengthens our dedication to help patients live longer, better lives.”
Critical treatment innovations have originated through blood cancer research, including radiation, chemotherapy, stem cell transplantation, and new-targeted therapies. Significant progress continues to be made to improve the lives of people living with blood cancer:
- Nearly 50% of all FDA-approved cancer drugs during the past decade were for blood cancer.
- Five of those drugs have been approved for use in additional cancer indications; clinical trials are underway for the other 14 FDA-approved treatments for additional indications.
- Survival rates for children with lymphocytic leukemia (the most common childhood cancer) have risen from 3% to 90% since the 1960s.
- Hodgkin lymphoma patient survival rates have doubled (now 88%) since the 1960s.
To find out more about forming a team or participating in Light The Night Walk visit www.lightthenight.org or call 877-LTN-WALK.
