The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society - Northern Ohio

Light The Night Team Captains!
The Nationwide Kickoff gives you a chance to meet other Light The Night leaders, hear from some special guests about their motivations for supporting LLS, and gather some handy tips to build your team and level up your fundraising. Plus, get inspired by our special guest, Alex Okafor—an NFL vet and former Super Bowl Champion who joined LLS's Board of Directors this year!

With solidarity from fellow changemakers, and the right tools, you can help LLS make meaningful changes for blood cancer patients and their families.

Help us start strong. Register for the Nationwide Kickoff today!
Click here to register!
https://tlls.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_w2JkPmoaR_eIH7pM-vLA4w #/registration

Get ready for the big reveal!✨

In just one week, we’ll transform into LLS - Eastern Great Lakes! Expect the same amazing content, an even larger community, and a unified mission to see a world without blood cancer. ❤️

Grab your lanterns! We have 2 months left until we bring light to the darkness of cancer together at Wade Oval alongside The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society! There’s still time to join the movement! www.lightthenight.org/events/cleveland

LLS Light The Night

We are proud to announce our 2025 Visionaries of the Year Leadership Committee Chair for Northwest Ohio - Megan Stephan!

Megan is a dedicated local supporter of LLS and has been involved with Visionaries locally for the past two years. In 2023, she was one of our candidates AND won the Mission Award for Research. Then in 2024, she joined our Leadership Committee as a member and now, she is proud to continue her involvement with LLS for the 2025 year as our Chair. Since losing her mother in 2008, Megan has dedicated her career to the oncology field, currently working as a Nurse Practitioner with ProMedica’s Hematology Oncology Associates at Toledo Hospital. She has seen friends, loved ones, and patients battle this disease and her drive to help produce a successful campaign stems from the bravery each of these individuals and their families show throughout the disease process. She is FIGHTING for them to find a CURE and an END to blood cancers.

Thank you for your continued support and dedication to LLS and our mission, Megan! We are beyond grateful to have you in this important leadership role!

Exciting breakthrough! 📣 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a new targeted immunotherapy for adults with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma. This breakthrough offers new hope for these patients as this blood cancer becomes harder to treat with each relapse. Learn more about this promising treatment and LLS's ongoing efforts to advance lymphoma research 👉 https://bit.ly/3LTQqfH

Meet the incredible 2024 Visionaries of the Year National Winners who are helping to make our vision for a world without blood cancer come true! 👇❤️🌐🌟

🥇 National Visionary of the Year: Ashley Snider! As an acute myeloid leukemia survivor herself, Snider's steadfast determination was personal. This May, she celebrated five years post-transplant with no relapses.

🥈 National Runner-Up: Claire Warren! Claire was motivated to fundraise in honor of her friend‘s daughter, who was diagnosed with leukemia at just three years old.

🎉 National All Star Visionary of the Year: Bill Rawlings! Bill fundraised in honor of founder of Atlanta Fine Homes and International Realty, Jenny, who is currently battling cancer and his father-in-law, Terry, who has been battling CLL for over a decade.

⭐ National All Star Runner-Up: Brian Leigh! Brian is a Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) survivor, he's currently in his 16th year of remission.

🥳 First-Ever National Team Member of the Year: Joe Cupoli! New this year, LLS named Joe Cupoli National “Team Member of the Year” for his extraordinary impact. Having run as a candidate in 2019, and again as an All Star in 2021, this year, Joe decided to support his partner Kat in her campaign.

These individuals are truly making a difference for blood cancer patients and their families – we’re so grateful. ✨ Learn more about each candidate and their efforts 👉 https://bit.ly/3Sg6Faq

"Discovering I had blood cancer brought a whirlwind of emotions—fear, curiosity about my future, and a belated clarity regarding months of fatigue and breathlessness misattributed to asthma. Seeing lymphoma on my chest X-ray was a relief and anxiety-inducing all at once.

I want other families to understand that they are not alone. They need not feel isolated or helpless, as there are numerous online and local communities, they can join to connect with others facing similar struggles. By uniting and supporting each other, we can make a profound difference in the lives of those affected by blood cancer.

I am pursuing a career in physical medicine and rehabilitation with dreams of helping others who undergo life-changing injuries or illnesses live life to the fullest, regardless of what limitations their conditions may have imposed upon them!”

Since primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma became a part of Luigi’s life, it has inspired him to help others. Share your unique experience and connect with our community here 👉 https://bit.ly/3y7EUK3

We're excited to introduce our 2024 Eastern Great Lakes Board of Trustees!🎉

Please help us welcome....

⭐ Carmen Edgehouse- Executive Vice President Acrisure

⭐ Andrew Wachter- Director of Finance and Regulations Peoples Natural Gas

⭐ Bhavana Bhatnagar, DO- Director Hematology and Medical Oncology WVU Cancer Institute at Wheeling

⭐ Dave Greber- News 4 Buffalo

⭐ Lisa Foster Smith- Key Bank

⭐ Michael Henderson- Account Manager HM Insurance Group

⭐ Dionne Jones- Age with Vibrancy LLC- MSSA, LSW, CPT

⭐ Alyssa Kunselman- Director of Business Development Mascaro Construction Company

⭐ Christina McKinley- Shareholder, Appellate and Litigation Co-Chair Babst Calland

Thank you all for your continued support and dedication to LLS and our mission. We are grateful to have you all! 🎉👏🩸

Grab your lanterns! We have 3 months left until we bring light to the darkness of cancer together at Wade Oval alongside The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society! There’s still time to join the movement! www.lightthenight.org/events/cleveland

LLS Light The Night

Big news for blood cancer patients! 🎉 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a new treatment for earlier use in treating B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). This immunotherapy offers new hope for adults and children. We’re championing research that harnesses the immune system to treat blood cancer. Learn more 👉 https://bit.ly/3LdGld4

Did you know? 👇

❤️‍🩹 42% of cancer patients exhaust their entire life savings within two years of diagnosis.

❤️‍🩹 1 in 4 cancer patients delay, forgo, or dangerously alter treatment due to cost.

We're dedicated to not only developing life-saving therapies but also ensuring equitable access for all.

Read about our work to tackle healthcare inequities and how we’re providing crucial support to blood cancer patients in need 🔎👉 https://bit.ly/3LgL3Xx

Improving Blood Cancer Survival Takes More than New Drug Discovery | Leukemia and Lymphoma Society In my years as a practicing hematologist-oncologist and now as chief medical officer of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society financial assistance LLS Lobby Day in Washington DC-- With the costs of cutting-edge cancer therapies skyrocketing, forty-two percent...

Let’s give a round of a applause for our 2024 Equity in Access Research Program Grantees! 👏👏👏 We have awarded nearly $6.5 million to uncover and address social, economic, and environmental barriers to blood cancer treatment and care. These efforts aim to inform changes in healthcare policy and practice that may lead to better health outcomes.

🔬 Carma Bylund, PhD & Stephanie Staras, PhD, MPH, University of Florida
🔬 Raymond Mailhot, MD, MPH & Erin Mobley, PhD, MPH, University of Florida
🔬 Shazia Nakhoda, MD, Linda Fleisher, PhD, MPH & Zachary Frosch, MD, MS, Fox Chase Cancer Center
🔬 Anushree Vichare, PhD, MBBS, Clese Erikson, M.P.Aff & Qian “Eric” Luo, PhD, The George Washington University

Support for the LLS Equity in Access Research Program is provided by: Royalty Pharma and AstraZeneca.

Find all the details on our grantees and their ground-breaking work 👉 https://bit.ly/4cV9cPe

That’s a WRAP! ❤️ A special thank you to Subaru of America, Inc. and its retailers for supporting blood cancer patients and families with warmth and hope this June during . 🙌 Together, we distributed countless blankets, care kits, resources, and messages of hope. Subaru matched your generous donations, doubling the impact for blood cancer patients and families.

We are proud to announce our 2025 Student Visionaries of the Year Leadership Committee Chair for Northwest Ohio!

Please help us welcome Beth Kaczor from Block Communications Inc.

Thank you for your continued support and dedication to LLS and our mission! We are beyond grateful to have you!🎉👏🩸

Parenting a child who has is an experience that changes you forever. And losing that child causes a deep pain that few understand.

At 3, Phil endured treatment variations for his leukemia until all reasonable options were exhausted. And after almost 4 years of this, he passed away.

“Being Phil's mother is a gift I am eternally grateful for. Some days, I still struggle with the reality that we will never understand why this happened.” -Katie, Phil’s mom

No one should have to endure the heartbreak of losing a child to blood cancer. 💔 On , we honor those who have suffered this incredible loss, like Katie, and remember the lives of their babies.

Katie takes “Phil time” to remember her sweet boy and shares his story as an LLS Dare to Dream Ambassador, hoping to continue the efforts to transform treatment and care for all kids with blood cancer. Read Phil and Katie’s story here 👉 https://bit.ly/3XQvNYY

We are proud to announce our 2025 Student Visionaries of the Year Leadership Committee Chairs for Cleveland!

Please help us welcome Leo Sp****la from Olmsted Falls High School and Bill Evans from Polaris Career Center.

Thank you for your continued support and dedication to LLS and our mission! We are beyond grateful to have you both!🎉👏🩸

Blood cancer breakthrough! ⭐ The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a new treatment for certain patients with low- to intermediate-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), reducing the need for frequent blood transfusions. This innovative treatment preserves a better quality of life for those living with MDS-related anemia. Learn more about this life-changing development 👉 https://bit.ly/3W8PWHh

What’s a question you wish people would ask you about living with blood cancer?

When you hear - “you have cancer” - life changes. survivors summed up their lives as survivors in just six words. What are your six words? __ __ __ __ __ __​

At every stage of your survivorship experience, we’ve got resources and information to help 👉 https://bit.ly/4eB62ln

Meet our Student Visionaries of the Year! 📣🎉🙌 We’re blown away by these young leaders raising awareness and funds for LLS! 💪✨

🌟 National Student Visionaries of the Year: Team Hope for a Cure (Los Angeles, CA)
👏 Members: Lia Bhatia & Hailey Miller
📈 Impact: $649,124

🌟 National Runner-Up: Team CPA, Secure the Cure (Nashville, TN)
👏 Members: Sophia Crockett & Emma Weaver
📈 Impact: $646,537

🌟 National Team Member of the Year
👏 Andrew Lim, Team Banking for a Cure (Houston, TX)
📈 Impact: $114,553

Congratulations and THANK YOU to our winning teams! You’re paving the way to a brighter future! 🌍❤️ Learn more about our Student Visionary winners 👉 https://bit.ly/3XGox1q

A blood cancer diagnosis can feel isolating. But that’s why we are here—to bring together resources and a community of support. Together, we are better. ​

At 10, Nik was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Confined to a hospital bed for months, he grappled with loneliness, infections, and side effects from medications. Now 17 years after completing treatment, he's stronger than ever. Throughout his experience with blood cancer, Nik found The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), and with it, solace in connecting with fellow patients and families, and hope for the future. “I'm proud to be part of the LLS family,” he shares. ​

Your donations during June will be matched by Subaru, doubling the impact for kids like Nik! Donate now, and your donation will go 2x as far! 👉 https://bit.ly/45Futdb

YOU can be the change! ❤️ By starting a fundraiser with LLS, you can bring hope and brighter futures to those affected by blood cancer. Every effort counts – let’s do this, together 👉 https://bit.ly/4bprTsW

YOU can bring light to the darkness of cancer this fall by joining us at an LLS Light The Night event! ✨ Our colored lanterns represent:

🤍 Celebrating patients & survivors
❤️ Supporting friends and family
💛 Honoring loved ones lost to blood cancer

We hope to see you there! ❤️ Find a Light The Night event near you and register today 👉 ​https://bit.ly/3KYtjjx

If you know, you know 🫶 Did we miss any? ❤️

Cancer survivorship not only comes with new terms, but often a new normal. We’re here to help with support and resources 👉 https://bit.ly/3XyZXzx

Challenge yourself to raise $1,000 for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and become a BRIGHT LIGHT. You will receive our exclusive Bright Light long sleeve shirt! Be sure to register at www.lightthenight.org/egl to start your fundraising. Comment below BRIGHT LIGHT and one of our Light The Night Managers will be in contact with you to help you reach your goal!

🗣️ Breaking ground in pediatric blood cancer research! This , we’re proud to partner with Adam de Smith, PhD from Keck Medicine of USC, to uncover the roots of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in children.

His research focuses on identifying genetic factors and understanding how ALL starts before birth. By doing this, we aim to pinpoint children at the highest risk and create personalized prevention strategies.

Learn more about his efforts 👉 https://bit.ly/3VHw6me

We have an AWARDEE on our hands! Join us in congratulating our 2024 Visionaries of the Year Patient Education & Support WINNER! Shannon Mortland and Team Justin. They have shown leadership in bringing awareness to Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Drop a below to celebrate their win!

We have an AWARDEE on our hands! Join us in congratulating our 2024 Visionaries of the Year Policy & Advocacy WINNER! Juan Camacho! They have shown leadership in bringing awareness to Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Drop a 🎉below to celebrate their win!

We have an AWARDEE on our hands! Join us in congratulating our 2024 Visionaries of the Year Research WINNER! Dominic Fragapane and Team Cancel Cancer CLE! They have shown leadership in bringing awareness to Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Drop a 🎉below to celebrate their win!

Let’s CELEBRATE!
A BIG shout out to our 2024 Team Member of the Year! Thank you for all you do, Marci, for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society! Drop a 🎉 to congratulate our outstanding team member today!

Drum roll, please! 🤩🎉
In just 10 weeks, our dedicated Cleveland Visionaries of the Year candidates have raised over $923,262 A HUGE shout out to our candidates and team members for their incredible contributions to the 's mission!

Drum roll, please!
We are so proud to announce Francesca Nist and Team JB Forever Strong as our 2024 Cleveland Visionary of the Year Runner Up! In just 10 weeks, our dedicated Cleveland Visionaries of the Year candidates have made incredible contributions to fundraise for 's mission! Pop a note of congratulations to our Top Fundraiser below!

Drum roll, please! ⭐⭐⭐
We are so proud to announce Craig Brasdovich and Team allSTAR 2.0 as our 2024 Cleveland Visionary of the Year All-Star! In just 10 weeks, our dedicated Cleveland Visionaries of the Year candidates have made incredible contributions to fundraise for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s mission! Pop a note of congratulations to our All-Star below!

"I moved to Chicago in May 2022. Recently, I completed my joint PhD in Social Work and Psychology and was offered a job at Google. In mid-July, I began experiencing symptoms that worried me―difficulty breathing during exercise, intense chest and back pain, spider veins on my chest, puffiness in my face, and fatigue. Over the next three months, I visited four different doctors about these symptoms, all of whom diagnosed them as anxiety/stress or asthma. Feeling embarrassed, I tried to avoid seeking medical help. However, while at work, I started coughing up blood. Consequently, I consulted a telehealth doctor who advised me to go straight to the ER. A CT scan revealed a grapefruit-sized mass in my chest, enlarged lymph nodes, and fluid in my lungs.

After a biopsy a few days later―on my birthday―I received a diagnosis of primary mediastinal non-Hodgkin lymphoma (PMBL).

Upon returning to work, I found myself missing the community of Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) survivors I had during treatment. I searched for a community at work and discovered a group called ‘Cancer Survivors Google,’ which had been considered ‘abandoned.’ I took the initiative to lead and revitalize this community. Now, we have a community of over 400 employees and a leadership team of over 20 people! Leading this community has been one of the most fulfilling endeavors I've ever undertaken."

Together, we find strength in our shared experience through , emphasizing the power of healing with community. If you or a loved one need support, contact our Information Specialists at 800-955-4572 or visit our resources for survivorship ❤️👉 https://bit.ly/3KRiT53

Drum roll, please! 🎉🎉🎉
We are so proud to announce Dominic Fragapane and Team Cancel Cancer CLE as our 2024 Cleveland Visionary of the Year! In just 10 weeks, our dedicated Cleveland Visionaries of the Year candidates have made incredible contributions to fundraise for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s mission! Pop a note of congratulations to our Top Fundraiser below!

We are grateful to our Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Visionaries of the Year Top Sponsors for their support in helping strive to create a world without blood cancer. Please join us in thanking: Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Parker-Hannifin, and Robert Half
Thank you for your support as we work to !

Join us on October 6 at Wade Oval to bring light to the darkness of cancer. Every dollar you raise will The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society mission of a world without blood cancers. Registration is open at https://www.lightthenight.org/events/cleveland

LLS Light The Night

Join us on September 28 at Cleveland Clinic-Judith & Richard Kinzel Campus to bring light to the darkness of cancer. Every dollar you raise will The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society mission of a world without blood cancers. Registration is open at https://www.lightthenight.org/events/sandusky-volunteer-hosted-event

LLS Light The Night

When fear whispers, let hope roar.

We are excited to announce our 2024 Light The Night Champion for Cures Shirt!
Challenge yourself to raise $100 for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and receive an LLS Light The Night exclusive shirt.
Be sure to register TODAY at www.lightthenight.org/egl