The Tennessee Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) recently kicked off its recruitment of corporate support for this fall’s Middle Tennessee Light The Night Walk at a breakfast meeting.

Over 130 Nashville business community members attended the event to learn more about how LLS advocates to ensure access to healthcare for blood cancer patients and provides support services and education, funds lifesaving blood cancer research, and how the money raised from this year’s Walk will make an impact in the community and beyond. James McCoy, the mission speaker at the breakfast, shared his story about getting the call from his doctor that he had blood cancer and how he beat it with the help of his family, friends and LLS.

“It means a lot to us that our corporate partners are supportive of LLS and committed to the fight against blood cancers,” said John Zarling, this year’s Corporate Walk Chair and Senior Vice President of Partnership Marketing and Promotion Strategy at Big Machine Label Group. “I hope for the day when there will be no more cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease or myeloma, and funds from Light The Night can make that dream a reality.”

The 2016 Light The Night Walk will take place Friday, Oct. 21, at Nissan Stadium. Participants carry illuminated lanterns – white for survivors, red for supporters and gold to remember those who have died – to honor and commemorate lives touched by blood cancer.

“The dedication of our Walk teams continues to amaze me,” said Terri Staroska, Campaign Director, Light The Night Walks–Tennessee Chapter of LLS. “We are so thankful for the support we receive that helps us fund lifesaving research, education and support services for those battling cancer.”

LLS hosts Walks in more than 200 communities across the United States and Canada. To find out more about forming a team or participating in a Light The Night Walk this fall, go to www.lightthenight.org.

About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

The Tennessee Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is located in Nashville and provides services and support to patients and their families across the state. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is the world’s largest voluntary health agency dedicated to curing blood cancers. 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, N.Y., LLS has chapters throughout the United States and Canada. For more information, please call the Tennessee Chapter office at (615) 331-2980 or (800) 332-2980.

Light The Night is a registered trademark of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Mission speaker James McCoy, Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs at the College of Southern Nevada, talks about his own fight with blood cancer.

Over 130 local business community members gathered for a corporate breakfast at the Richland Country Club to learn more about the 2016 Light The Night Walk. This year’s Walk is scheduled to take place Friday, Oct. 21, at Nissan Stadium.

2014 and 2015 Light The Night Corporate Walk Chair and Honored Partner of LLS, Dee Anna Smith, CEO, Sarah Cannon, stands with Light The Night Executive Committee Member- David Cripe, Vice President, Skanska USA

Wes Hartig, Associate, Martin Ventures and Mike Watson, Regional Sales Director at BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee. BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee is the 2016 Presenting Sponsor for Nashville’s Light The Night Walk.