Walkers “Light the Night” and Raise Record Donation

5th Annual Event Attracts a Record Crowd and Raises More than $340,000

THE WOODLANDS, Texas -- The 5th Annual Leukemia/Lymphoma Society Light the Night Walk in the Woodlands lit up Market Street in The Woodlands Town Center as more than 2,300 walkers carrying large twinkling balloons, red, white or gold, gathered together for a single cause . . . to walk for a cure. Proceeds generated from the walk help fund research for blood cancers.

Organizers were overjoyed at the end of the evening to announce that more than $340,000 had been raised with more donations expected to roll in for the next few weeks. The amount raised is $100,000 more than the amount raised in 2008! That amount is a true testament of the sense of community that exists in The Woodlands and the generosity of the residents despite the current economic slowdown. The event has grown tenfold in the first 5 years. Light The Night Walk The Woodlands is one of the fastest growing charitable event in The Woodlands and one of the largest single fundraiser event in Montgomery County! In 2005, the inaugural event attracted 400 walkers and raised $31, 558 compared to 2300 walkers and more than $340,000 raised in 2009.

The volunteer committee for The Woodlands Walk is made up of individuals whose lives have been touched by a form of blood cancer. Some are survivors and others have lost family members and/or close friends to the disease. Barry Blanton, the Walk Committee Chairman and a survivor relates, “I enjoy seeing money raised to fund research for a cure. I do not want my kids or grandkids to be told that they have a blood cancer that is treatable but not curable. Nobody should have to hear those words.” Every 5 minutes, someone in the United States learns that they have leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma, one of the many blood related cancers. That is nearly 300 people a day.

Light the Night Walk has a very personal meaning for Misty Moody, Leukemia/Lymphoma Society Staff Member who worked directly with The Woodlands walk committee. “The Light the Night event means giving back and supporting a cause that saved my life at the age of 8 years old. It’s a cause that is near and dear to my heart. I want to help save other lives.”

Light the Night Walk is a national fundraising campaign that commemorates and celebrates all lives touched by cancer. Company teams, civic groups, neighbors and friends raise funds strolling on an evening walk along a two-three mile route carrying twinkling balloons . . . White balloons for survivors, Red balloons for supporters and Gold Balloons in memory of loved ones lost to cancer. Walkers carry dedication banners that provide an opportunity to display a name or message, honoring or commemorating a family member or friend with cancer. More than a walk, Light the Night is a community celebration with food, live entertainment and family activities – a community coming together to support people with cancer.

The Light the Night Committee would like to thank and recognize the local sponsors who helped make the walk possible and so successful: Smith Productions, Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Hospital, Hal Watson Air Conditioning, Town Center Automotive, Sadler Clinic, Cardon Healthcare Network Inc., Deloitte, US Oncology, HealthMark Group, Jim and Nelda Blair, Bank of America/Merrill Lynch, The Woodlands Golf Association, Tetra Technologies, Green Bank, Stibbs & Co., U.S. Congressman Kevin Brady, Wells Fargo, Susan Turney Law Office, Woodforest National Bank, and Entergy. A special thanks to the venue sponsor, Trademark Property & Market Street The Woodlands.

For more information on sponsor opportunities for 2010 please call 713 680-8088.

Donations are still being accepted. If you would like to donate a gift and save a life or need more information please visit lightthenight.org/txg or call 877 LTN-WALK.