They not only have a Light The Night Team, they have a Light The Night song! Satellites & Sirens, the alternative Christian rock band, has just released their latest song, "Light The Night" to help support the mission of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

You can hear a clip of the song on their web site. Click here to download the full song and donate $1 to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

AddLight The Night to your playlist, then share their web address with your friends.

Each $1 download of 'Light the Night' will go to benefit the efforts of LLS to find cures for leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma and to provide education and services for patients with these diseases and their families.

One of the things that we love about our events is how they enable people to meet others working towards the same goals –trying to help end blood cancers, and having fun while doing it. Every once in a while we hear about a story of how one of our programs has been instrumental in helping people develop an important personal relationship, and I think that following deserves some retelling

Michelle Fried has a long history with our National Capital Area chapter (NCA). As a volunteer, participant and Board of Trustees president, Michelle has been a dedicated supporter of LLS for many years.

Because of her passion and well-rounded experience with LLS, Michelle was chosen as an ambassador-of-sorts to help encourage participation in LLS events.  Last year, this role brought her face-to-face with Jim Galvanek, a 10-year leukemia survivor.  Not only did this meeting lead to Jim being named NCA’s 2008 Man of the Year, but eventually, to an unexpected romance.

The two amazing volunteers quickly became good friends.  Their friendship turned into a lasting connection.

This summer, The Light The Night Walk Kick-off was held at National Stadium, home of the Washington Nationals, just before the start of a game. Along with about 500 other people, Jim and Michelle were there showing their support for LLS.  Jim led Michelle to the stadium rooftop, as the game began so the couple could get a bird’s eye view of the field. It was up there that they shared a private moment together and Jim asked her to marry him.

After sharing the news with friends and volunteers alike, the two enjoyed a few innings.  Soon after, the Jumbotron lit up naming Jim and Michelle "Fans of the Game.”

The NCA Deputy Executive Director, one of the lucky people to see these two lovebirds' relationship evolve, said that it has been really sweet to watch two good friends and amazing volunteers make a lasting connection and remember how LLS has been instrumental in their relationship.

Michelle and Jim have not only found each other, but they have also given much of their personal time to LLS – something for which we at LLS are grateful for every day.

At The Light The Night Walk in Savannah, GA this weekend, two fans were pleasantly surprised to meet one of their favorite American Idol stars, Stephanie Edwards. She gave a great performance and posed for photos with fans. Stephanie's inspirational, On Our Way, is the official song of The 2008 Light The Night season.

* Photos from: Scooting Around Savannah

Team I Do: Put yourself in the shoes of Dianne or Chuck, in Orange County, CA.  They met and began dating and fell in love.  Shortly after, Dianne was hospitalized and diagnosed with Stage IV Lymphoma.  With this terrifying news, Dianne told Chuck that he should run for the door – that her diagnosis wouldn’t be fair or fun for him.  Remarkably, Chuck said “Dianne, when God gives you a gift, you don’t give it back.”  And from that moment on, the pair knew they would fight tooth and nail to battle cancer and face the world, together.  Chuck proposed to Dianne at her hospital bedside.

Three months into a relationship, I can’t imagine that there are too many people who would have faced this threat the way that Chuck did.

After six months of excruciating chemotherapy and treatments, with Chuck by her side, Dianne is now in 100% remission.  And the two are due to be married this September.  Happily ever after ---

The story could end here, but instead, this astounding couple is selflessly turning their wedding celebration into a $10,000 fundraiser for Light The Night.  They are marrying on Friday and inviting their 60 guests to “walk with them after they walk down the aisle” as “[Team I Do|http://teams.lightthenight.org/TeamIDo]” on Saturday at The Light The Night Walk.

In addition, Dianne and Chuck are spending some time leading up to the wedding attending and hosting fundraising events – like a “Survivor Strut” Fashion Show.  And to top that all off, Dianne has also buddied-up with a Team In Training participant who is now training for a marathon in her honor.

Well, needless to say, this story just touched my heart.  Here they are, facing cancer (and kicking it's butt!), marrying the loves of their lives, and, if they didn't have enough on their plates, dedicating their special day to help LLS!   This type of generosity and selflessness does not come around often.   And I am honored to be a part of an organization with such beautiful supporters.

Do you know a unique fundraising or mission-related story?  I’d love to share it. Leave a comment or email me.

We are excited to announce an incredible new partnership. We all remember Stephanie Edwards for her stand-out performances on Season 6 of American Idol. Since the show ended, she’s been quite busy. And this year, the talented young recording artist has teamed up with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society for Light the Night. Her beautiful and inspirational song, On Our Way (written by Julie Wilde), is the soundtrack of the 2008 Light the Night Walk nationwide.

Listen to a clip here.

If you like it, send the clip to a friend and purchase the whole album. It’s a deal at $5. And, Stephanie is graciously donating $2 from every purchase to support Light the Night.

So, not only are we fortunate enough to have this motivational song and up-and-coming starlet set the stage for our event, but proceeds from the sale of the album will help support programs, research and patient services in our efforts to fight blood cancers.

What a great way to kick off the Light the Night season! Get those walking shoes out, Light the Night is just around the corner.