September Charity of the Month

The WTOP/United Way Charity of the Month for September is the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), the nation’s largest voluntary health organization dedicated to finding a cure for blood cancer.

LLS’s mission is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Since inception LLS has invested more than $875 million in research for better cancer treatments. Volunteers are the lifeblood of the organization. Thousands of driven, motivated individuals join the fight each year – helping to raise funds and awareness for the more than one million Americans afflicted with blood cancer. September is Blood Cancer Awareness month – the perfect time to commit yourself to joining LLS for a signature campaign.

This October gather your friends, family and co-workers and illuminate the sky at the Light The Night Walks. Participants across the country walk with illuminated balloons at dusk in support and honor of those fighting blood cancer. Walkers who raise at least $100 are Champions For Cures, and receive a t-shirt and balloon, and access to the evening’s entertainment, food and beverages. There are three walks in the Washington, DC area – Saturday, October 6 in Rockville, MD; Saturday, October 13 in Washington, DC; and Saturday, October 20 in Reston, VA.

Train To Beat Cancer with Team In Training – the nation’s largest non-profit endurance training program. TNT has trained 520,000 participants to complete a marathon, half-marathon, triathlon or century ride, since its inception in 1988. These individuals have raised more than $1.3 billion for blood cancer research and patient services, helping to save lives one mile at a time. The National Capital Area Chapter is currently recruiting participants for events across the country including the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend and ING Miami Marathon &