The New York City Chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) has chosen Dr. John P. Leonard, with Weill Cornell Medicine and New York-Presbyterian, to be the corporate chair of its 2016 Manhattan Light the Night annual fundraiser on Oct. 6.
Light the Night is the society’s largest event raising money to support research for new treatments and a potential cure for blood cancers like leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma.
Dr. Leonard, an expert in hematology and oncology, is the Richard T. Silver Distinguished Professor of Hematology and Medical Oncology at Weill Cornell, where he also serves as associate dean and vice chairman for clinical research. He is also the associate director of clinical trials in the Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center at Weill.
His research has been published in a number of well-known medical journals, and he has served as an editorial board member for the journals Blood and the Journal of Clinical Oncology. Dr. Leonard is also chair of the Lymphoma Committee of the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology, a key part of the National Cancer Institute’s National Clinical Trials Network, and he currently serves on the Board of Trustees for LLS’ New York City Chapter.
“Supporting Light the Night is a powerful way to partner with LLS to raise critical funds for blood cancer research,” Dr. Leonard said in a press release. “I am honored to serve as the chair and look forward to encouraging other organizations and businesses to join me in supporting LLS by participating in Light the Night.”
Every year, Light the Night brings patients and their friends, family members, and co-workers together in fundraising teams to support research and help improve the quality of life of those with blood cancers. Almost 200 communities across the U.S. annually participate in the event, carrying illuminated lanterns while taking “steps to end cancer.” Blood cancer survivors carry white lanterns, supporters are given red lanterns, and gold lanterns are lit in memory of those lost to the disease.
The Oct. 6 event in Manhattan, hosted by Weill Cornell Medicine and New York-Presbyterian, starts at 5:30 p.m. at Rumsey Playfield in Central Park.
“When a loved one hears the words ‘you have cancer,’ it is a dark and scary time,” said Michele Przypyszny, executive director of the New York City Chapter. “LLS’s Light The Night Walk brings light to the darkness of cancer through hope, research and support for patients, families, friends, doctors, nurses, researchers, colleagues and care givers.”
At New York-Presbyterian, Dr. Leonard serves as an attending physician and chief of Lymphoma Service.
