It’s been said that no man is an island. The Leukemia &Lymphoma Society knows firsthand it takes an entire committee to make a difference.
Dr. Guenther Koehne
For the second consecutive year, Dr. Guenther Koehne, Deputy Director of the Miami Cancer Institute, Chief of Hematologic Oncology and Blood & Marrow Transplantation and Chairman of the 2019 Light the Night Campaign, along with Fisher Island CEO Bernard Lackner hosted an intimate soiree in honor ofThe Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS)Light the Night Campaign Executive Committee and their guests.
Held at the historic Vanderbilt Mansion on Thursday, May 2nd,special guests and committee members included:Dan and BruKodsi,Susan and Lani Kahn Drody, Janis Wackenhut Ward and Roger Ward, Dr. Peter Citron and Bea Citron, Diane Cruz, Jerry and Antoinette Silvey,Amy Deupi, Sandra Fiorenza, John Fox, Jessica Hershberger, Shana Kaufman, Sissy DeMaria Koehne, Susana Moro and Jason Quimby, Hebe Occupati, Dr. Lisa Reale and Douglas Reale, Mike Villasana, Manuel Gonzales and Nydia Larrazabal Martinez.
Guests were treated to a seaside reception before attending an extravagant dinner in the historic Vanderbilt Mansion library with a variety of Napa Valley vintages courtesy of Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits.Dr. Guenther Koehne spoke to the changes in the treatment approaches for hematologic malignancies particularly emphasizing the integration of novel immunotherapies to current treatments.He also pointed to theimportant work that is supported by LLS while Hebe Occupati, Campaign Manager at The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, shared her own personal cancer journey and the impact that LLS has made on her own life.
The glamorous evening served as the prelude to the Leukemia &Lymphoma Society’s Light the Night kickoff luncheon at Northern Trust taking place on Wednesday, June 5th.The Leukemia &Lymphoma Society is theworld's largest voluntary health organization dedicated to fighting blood cancer. The high-powered luncheon serves to identify and inspire corporate sponsorsand individual donors for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s premier fundraiser, The Light the Night event, which takes place on Saturday, November 2ndat Bayfront Park in the heart of downtown Miami. During the event, more than 5,000 people – including corporate and family teams who have been touched by cancer – will gather to walk in an emotional and uplifting evening that aims to shine light on one of life’s darkest moments.
Survivors celebrate by carrying white lanterns and taking part in an inspiring survivor ceremony within the survivor circle as a white beam of hope reaches up to the sky illuminating the darkness. A Remembrance Pavilion honors those who have passed and allows a quiet place where family, friends and co-workers can leave tributes to their loved ones.
“As an oncologist who every day sees firsthand the devastating effect cancer has on patients and caregivers, I cannot emphasize how invaluable the support of our committee members is to the success of our campaign. Their contributions go directly towards the groundbreaking research that the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society continues, advancing cancer therapies that save lives,” said Dr. Koehne, Deputy Director and Chief of Hematologic Oncology and Blood & Marrow Transplantation at Miami Cancer Institute.
“We are so grateful to Fisher Island for hosting us and honoring the vital support of our Light the Night campaign committee,” said Jessica Hershberger, Area Director at The Leukemia & Lymphoma Societyof South Florida. “Light the Night is our most important fundraiser each yearand is spearheaded by the tremendous dedication of each of our committee members. This event truly makes a difference in the lives of cancer patients and we are proud to recognize their ongoing commitment to the mission of LLS.”
For more information on the Light the Night campaign, sponsorship information or to participate in a corporate or family team please contact:Hebe Occupati at Hebe.Occupati@lls.org.
About LLS
A 501 charitable organization, LLS was founded in 1949 and serves as the world's largest voluntary health organization dedicated to fighting blood cancer. For 70 years, LLS has invested more than $1.2 billion to advance cancer therapies and save lives.
LLS brings hope instead of despair by working to ensure access to treatments for all blood cancer patients. The nonprofit brings communities together to celebrate those who are fighting the disease and to honor those who have been lost. LLS identifies and funds the most promising blood cancer research projects and forges partnerships with academic institutions, biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies to accelerate the development of new therapies.
