Aug. 1, 2008
Dear Navy Basketball Fans:
I am writing to you to announce that I have taken on the roll of serving as the Honorary Walk Chair for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's 2008 Annapolis Light The Night® Walk. Last year, more then 800 walkers participated in this beautiful event and raised over $185,000 to support the Society's mission: to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.
The Navy basketball family was hit last year by leukemia, as Justin Livezey's (strength coach) wife, Brandy, was diagnosed with leukemia in June of 2007. She has been such a fighter against this disease and we are thrilled that she has been given a clean bill of health. A couple of months ago Brandy came to me and asked if I would be interested in being involved... I had no second thoughts. I was honored that she would ask me and pleased that we can help such a terrific cause. It is our team's way of showing respect to Brandy and to everyone who has been affected by leukemia, as we have learned the hard way... it affects everyone. Today, I appeal to you to join us as we commit to raising funds for the Society.
The Annapolis Walk will be held at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium on September 28, 2008, at 5:00pm. The Walk's fundraising goal for the 2008 is $200,000. In order to meet this target, we must continue to increase the number of area businesses, families and individuals that participate in the Light The Night® Walk. In doing so, we will eventually reach our ultimate goal: a cure for cancer.
To initiate even more involvement in the 2008 Annapolis Light the Night® Walk, I invite you to log onto http://teams.lightthenight.org/USNABasketball. From this website you can help us to reach our fundraising goal of $3000 and you can join our team if you will be in the Annapolis area on September 28th. Better yet, you can even form your own team and raise even more money for this important cause. If you would like more information on how to form your own team or how to become a corporate sponsor, contact Kate Smith, at 410-527-0220 x18 or katie.smith@lls.org.
Leukemia causes more deaths than any other cancer among children and young adults under the age of 20. More than 895,000 people in the U.S. are currently battling a blood cancer. Every four minutes someone new is diagnosed. Every 10 minutes someone dies. Our only hope is your support. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is the world's largest private organization dedicated to finding cures for blood cancers and to improving the life of patients and their families.
As a thank you from the Navy basketball family and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society every participant in this year's walk will receive one complimentary ticket to our basketball home opener on Sunday, November 16, when we face Howard University at 1:00 pm in Alumni Hall. Additional tickets purchased in advance will be available for only $6.00 and a portion of the proceeds will go directly to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
Again, Katie Smith, the Campaign Director for the Light The Night Walk, is available to answer any questions you have regarding getting involved or donating to this important cause. Please feel free to reach out to her at 410-527-0220 or katie.smith@lls.org. Thank you for your help!
Sincerely,
Billy Lange Head Basketball Coach, USNA Men's Basketball
2008 Annapolis Light The Night® Walk Honorary Chair
# GO NAVY #
