Blood Cancer United Launches 2026 Light The Night Season to Advance Blood Cancer Research and Support
核心洞察
Blood Cancer United (搜索), formerly The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (搜索), is launching its signature Light The Night event in nearly 100 U.S. cities during Blood Cancer (搜索) Awareness Month this September and through fall 2026.
The organization aims to enable blood cancer (搜索) patients to gain more than one million years of life by 2040, addressing a disease diagnosed every three minutes in the U.S.
This year's National Honored Hero is Lennox, diagnosed at eight months old with multifocal single-system Langerhans cell histiocytosis (搜索), who completed treatment after entering a clinical trial.
Blood Cancer United (搜索), formerly The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (搜索) (LLS), is launching its signature community event, Light The Night, during Blood Cancer (搜索) Awareness Month, with events taking place in nearly 100 cities across the United States beginning this September and continuing throughout the fall. As the largest global nonprofit focused on serving blood cancer patients, the organization is uniting survivors, caregivers, and supporters to raise critical funds for research, patient support, and advocacy.
The launch reflects the organization's broader strategic evolution. Blood Cancer United (搜索) describes its name change as "an evolution, not a new beginning," designed to help it meet a bold goal: to enable patients with blood cancer (搜索) to gain more than one million years of life by 2040. The rebranding is intended to reach more people affected by all 100+ types of blood cancer, while the mission of research, support, and advocacy remains unchanged.
A Disease Diagnosed Every Three Minutes
September marks Blood Cancer (搜索) Awareness Month, which the organization frames as an opportunity to remind the public about the urgent need to support research against a disease that is diagnosed every three minutes in the U.S. and currently has no means of prevention. Childhood Cancer Awareness Month is also observed during September, and while many children survive leukemia (搜索), it remains the most common type of pediatric cancer.
The Dare To Dream Project and Pediatric Focus
Blood Cancer United (搜索)'s Dare To Dream project represents the next phase of its Children's Initiative, reflecting the organization's recognition that "kids are different and their blood cancers need to be treated differently too." The initiative expands from families impacted by blood cancers to global research and treatment focused on children, including the Blood Cancer United PedAL Master Clinical Treatment, alongside increased access to free education, support, financial assistance, and advocacy.
Honoring Patients and Advancing Research
Throughout the season, Light The Night honors blood cancer (搜索) patients, survivors, and family members who share their stories of strength and courage. This year's National Honored Hero is Lennox, who was diagnosed at just eight months old with multifocal single-system Langerhans cell histiocytosis (搜索) (LCH), a rare type of blood cancer. He eventually entered a clinical trial and completed treatment this past December. Now three years old, Lennox is doing well, and his story serves as a reminder that every medical breakthrough brings hope and more time for blood cancer patients and their families. Each Blood Cancer United (搜索) Region also recognizes a local Honored Hero at its respective events.
"Every lantern carried at Light The Night represents hope, strength, and a shared commitment to changing what's possible for blood cancer (搜索) patients," said Coker Powell, EVP and Chief Revenue Officer, Blood Cancer United (搜索). "Together, participants, volunteers, donors, and sponsors are helping accelerate research, expand support services, and create a brighter future for families impacted by blood cancer."
Patient Support Services
Beyond the events, Blood Cancer United (搜索) offers direct patient assistance through Information Specialists, who are master's level oncology professionals providing free, personalized assistance to patients, families, and healthcare providers. The organization's Clinical Trial Nurse Navigators, registered nurses with expertise in blood cancers, conduct comprehensive clinical trial searches and personally assist patients, parents, and caregivers. A registered dietitian with oncology expertise also provides free nutrition consultations.
Participants carry illuminated lanterns during a guided evening walk, symbolizing hope, remembrance, and a shared commitment to the organization's mission and the blood cancer (搜索) community. Registration for Light The Night is now open, and the organization encourages the public to join in providing "more birthdays, more milestones, more life for blood cancer patients."