Give & Get for the Holidays - Save BIG at Gap, Inc. Stores and Help Kids like Matthew

christine.lazzari@lls.org — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:21:15 GMT

UPDATE: Thank you to everyone who participated in this campaign! The results are in and because of you, more than $650,000 was raised for life-saving cancer resarch. Thanks for shopping!

Jennifer Donnelly is the mother of Matthew, an acute lymphocytic leukemia patient who's story is featured in the Gap Give & Get Campaign. Gap Give & Get gives you a 30% off coupon to shop at all Gap, Inc. store, with 5% of the proceeds going to benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Jennifer shared her story with LLS:

How did you find out that Matthew had leukemia?

Matthew was diagnosed on December 11th, 2007, when he was two and a half years old. He hadn't been feeling well and our regular doctor thought he had a double ear infection. In fact he did have a double ear infection, but thankfully our doctor also had blood work done on Matthew, which ultimately determined that he had acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). It was devastating at the time, but in hindsight we were glad he was diagnosed early on.

Before Matthew's diagnosis, had you ever heard of leukemia?

To be honest, no -- but I learned very quickly. I also found a huge support group of people out there who are willing to help.

How has LLS been helpful to you and Matthew?

We participate in LLS's finanicial aid program and have also participated in The Light The Night Walk twice. Matthew was also recently named the 'Boy of the Year' for the local LLS chapter here on Long Island.

Your son has an amazing smile. He looks like he has a very positive outlook.

He does! When he was first diagnosed, going to see the doctors so often was difficult and I would try a number of things to make it a positive experience - like dressing up in costumes. Well now, Matthew actually looks forward to going! Once when we were on vacation in Disneyland, he surprised me with "Lets go to the clinic, Mom!" There we were, in the "happiest place on earth" and he wants to go to the clinic!

How is Matthew doing now?

Matthew's doing very well. He's in the second year of his treatment, which will continue through 2011. We are participating in a trial.

A clinical trial?

Yes, again, before Matthew had been diagnosed, I didn't realize how important clinical trials could be to treatment options. I found out as much as I could in advance, especially about the protocol that was suggested for Matthew. Now, I think of all of the people who participated in trials before us and I'm grateful. If they hadn't, I wonder where we'd be now. Thanks to previous trials and the people who participated in them, treatments have improved.

Have you participated in any previous Give & Get campaign?

We participated in both the spring and summer campaigns. A coupon was forwarded to me via email. The 30% discount is terrific and knowing 5% of the sale goes back to LLS - even better!

Now, when I know of a business, like Gap, that gives back to LLS -- I think, "They're doing this for research, they're doing this for cures, and they're doing this for my son." It makes me want to cry because I know the true benefit of this kind of support.

Thank you, Jennifer, for sharing your story with us and allowing us to feature Matthew in this campaign.

Personalize your Credit Card and Support LLS Every Time You Swipe Your Card!

christine.lazzari@lls.org — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 20:06:30 GMT

This time, it’s personal!

Your support of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is personal and now so is your LLS visa card.

You've seen how you can create a Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) or Team In Training (TNT) branded credit card. Now you can personalize your card with your own photo at no cost!

So, when you make a purchase with your LLS or TNT Visa card, it can truly be your card that you created.

Plus, your first purchase will result in a $50 donation by the bank to LLS and a percentage of all future purchases will also be donated to LLS.

Best of all, you’ll help us increase awareness and support of LLS and TNT whenever and wherever you use your personalized card. I know every time I use my personalized card (shown here), it’s a real conversation starter!

See how easy it is to create a unique LLS or TNT Visa Platinum Rewards card and learn more about the benefits of this terrific No Annual Fee Rewards card with a 0% Introductory APR by clicking here.

Don’t be the only member of your team without an official LLS or TNT card, apply today!

@LLS

Give & Get for the Holidays - Save BIG at Gap, Inc. Stores and Help Kids like Matthew

Personalize your Credit Card and Support LLS Every Time You Swipe Your Card!