What is Light The Night?
Light The Night brings light to the darkness of cancer by supporting lifesaving research, advocacy and services for people battling blood cancer. Family, friends and co-workers gather together to celebrate, honor or remember those affected by blood cancers. Registration is free, but participants are encouraged to raise funds to support the mission. These efforts culminate in inspirational, memorable evening experiences filled with music, fireworks and empowering ceremonies honoring survivors and remembering those we have lost. Please join us and nearly 1M others in the 100+ walks across North America.
Are patients and survivors expected to fundraise?
Just like our other participants, patients and survivors have an opportunity to raise $100 or more and become a Champion for Cures. Many of our highest individual fundraisers are patients and survivors.
Patients/survivors who do not raise $100 or more and want to attend the event are encouraged to attend and participate as guests of LLS. Patients and survivors receive all benefits (t-shirt and lantern) regardless of the fundraising level achieved. This applies to patients only, not their family members or team members.
Does every participant get a lantern?
All registered participants will receive an illuminated lantern. All participants who raise $100+ are named a ‘Champion for Cures,’ and receive our official Light The Night T-Shirt. Participants who raise less than $100 are welcome to join us for an inspirational evening including music, fireworks or laser show (if applicable) and camaraderie but do not qualify for a Light The Night t-shirt. However, patients and survivors receive these benefits regardless of their fundraising level.
Is there food at Light The Night?
Light The Night events will have food available for purchase in addition to complimentary refreshments at the hydration station.
Will my team members receive a lantern and t-shirt the night of the event?
Any team member who becomes a Champion For Cures and raises $100 or more will receive these benefits.
Because many of our successful teams plan events to raise funds collectively, LTN staff are available to actively assist team captains with a customized fundraising plan that (in addition to team fundraising events) encourages all participants to strive to raise at least the participant average of $450 or more individually-through email, direct asks to friends, Facebook fundraising and utilizing their individual online fundraising webpage.
What do the lantern colors mean?
During Light The Night, participants carry illuminated lanterns in three colors: white lanterns are carried by patients and survivors; red lanterns by supporters; gold lanterns are carried by those walking in memory of loved ones lost to cancer.
How long is the route?
Actual distances vary by route and city. Contact your local region for the exact distance. A leisurely pace is the norm on this event, which takes under an hour to complete.
How is the money collected?
Each team member is responsible for collecting funds from supporters and giving them to the team captain, who forwards them to LLS. Funds raised online are automatically credited to the participant.
When do we have to register?
The sooner the better! The sooner you get started with your recruitment efforts and fundraising activities, the more success you can have. Our major recruitment phase begins in the spring, and we know that some companies like to get these events on the calendar earlier in the year.
How is the money used?
Proceeds from Light The Night help advance our mission: Cure blood cancer and improve the quality of life of all patients and their families. This mission is carried out through funding extensive research for treatments and cures, government advocacy, patient assistance programs, community outreach and education programs. For more information on our mission, click here.
Are pets, strollers, bicycles and inline skaters allowed to participate?
Please check with your local staff for their policy on pets. Strollers and wheelchairs are welcome. However, for everyone's safety, bicycles, inline skates, wheelie footwear, skateboards and scooters are not allowed.
What happens if it rains?
The event is held rain or shine. Should there be inclement weather (e.g. hurricanes, tornados, high winds, fires), communication will be shared through the local staff team.
Can I come if I’m actively in treatment or immunocompromised?
It is highly recommended that all blood cancer patients or other immunocompromised individuals check with their healthcare provider before attending this event. While at the event, we urge our community to respect anyone’s choice to continue to take precautions like masking or social distancing.
Are there ADA Accommodations?
We acknowledge some participants might need ADA accommodations. We do our best to provide these accommodations at every location, however, depending on weather and venues, it may be difficult for participants using wheelchairs to move freely around all areas of specific walk sites. If you have questions or need support, please call us at 888-557-7177 in advance to discuss accommodations. Meeting the needs of all participants is very important to the Light The Night experience.
FUNDRAISING MADE EASY!
How does fundraising make a difference?
Funding cutting-edge research and providing support services to patients and their families during their cancer journey requires resources. In order to fuel our mission, we need participants like you to help raise critical dollars. Here are just a few examples of how these funds make a difference:
In communities across the country, our support groups provide patients and their families with a place to listen, learn and share with others in the same situation.
Cancer can be overwhelming. But help is just a phone call away. Our information resource specialists help educate and empower patients with individualized disease information and treatment options.
Since LLS’ founding, more than $1.8 billion has been invested in blood cancer research. LLS funds breakthrough therapies for patients with blood cancers that are saving lives today.
Where are fundraising tips and ideas?
When you register, you will receive your own fundraising page. This page will be filled with great fundraising tips, ideas, samples, and instructions on how to customize your personal fundraising page. You can use the page as is or add your own photos and personal message. Then, email your contacts a link to your site and watch the dollars start coming in! It's fun and simple to do.
Visit our participant resources for tools and tips!
I’m new to fundraising, how do I start?
We are here to support you every step of the way. Get started with these few easy steps....
1. Register here.
2. Make a personal donation. Big or small, this shows your donors you are leading by example.
3. Share your Story! Add photos and the story of why you are bringing light to the darkness of cancer with others. This will inspire more people to give to your fundraising efforts.
4. Share your fundraiser on facebook! When you connect your fundraising page to a Facebook Fundraiser within your Fundraising Tools, your friends on Facebook can donate to your fundraiser with one click! Participants who connect their page to a Facebook Fundraiser raise on average 5x more! Click here for more details.
What is the Bright Lights Club?
You can become a member of our Bright Lights Club by raising $1,000 or more, which will have a significant impact in creating a world without blood cancer. In 2024, our Bright Lights Club members raised $23.5 million to support our mission. To learn more about Bright Lights and how you can raise $1,000 or more, contact your local region.
What are the fundraising milestones to aim for?
We love setting a goal and working to achieve it for our mission. Consider setting a goal of one of the levels below or a level that is meaningful to you! Successful fundraiser often sent a goal with a number that relates back to their story. For example: “I have a goal to raise $1,700 in honor of the 17 years I’ve been in remission.” Or “I have a goal to raise $720 in memory of my dad who was 72 years old when he passed.”
Check out our fundraising recognition program here.
• $100: Champion for Cures
• $1,000: Bright Light
• $2,500: Twice As Bright
• $5,000: $5K Club
• $10,000: Light Leaders
HOW TO TEAMS WORK?
How can I/we organize a team?
It's very simple! Once you appoint a team captain to act as a liaison between Light The Night and your organization, we will provide all the materials and guidelines to ensure success in building a successful Light The Night team. Interested in becoming a team captain? Find more information here.
How many people do we need to form a team?
We recommend that a team consist of at least 10 people, with each individual participant raising funds. Encourage your team members to beat the national fundraising average of $450 or raise $100 or more to become a Champion For Cures. You can have a team with fewer than 10 participants, and most teams have many more. The more participants on a team, the more fun it is!
How can my company participate?
Companies participate by organizing teams of employees, including their friends, neighbors and family members, to raise money and walk in the event. Create a corporate team here.
Sponsorship opportunities are available at both the national and local levels. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please contact your LLS staff partner for more information.
Is team membership limited to employees of the company?
No. Team participation is encouraged among employees' families, friends, and neighbors. The magical and uplifting setting of Light The Night creates a fun, wholesome event that brings co-workers and their families together outside the office for the purpose of helping others.
Does having a team require some kind of corporate donation?
Corporate donations are encouraged but are not required. The majority of contributions will be generated by your individual team members. However, corporate matching gifts can enhance employee fundraising efforts.
Can we have more than one team captain?
Yes, your team can have multiple team captains. Your company can create friendly competition among departments or branch sites by recruiting a team captain from each department or floor. It is a great way to generate enthusiasm and friendly competition for a worthy cause.
What if some of our participants want to participate at one Light The Night site and some other participants at another?
No problem. We suggest appointing a team captain to lead a team at one Light The Night site and another team captain for the other Light The Night site.
What can senior management at my company do to facilitate building a Light The Night team?
Management can encourage team participation in a number of ways:
• Sign up for the team
• Draft and distribute a company-wide memo or email endorsing Light The Night
• Authorize/host company-wide recruitment, information meetings and an internal kickoff
• Purchase team T-shirts or other incentives to promote their company's commitment to Light The Night
• Recognize and reward employees who achieve fundraising milestones, such as participating in the Executive Challenge program or becoming Bright Lights.
• Solicit company vendors for contributions toward the team
How are funds raised by a Light The Night team?
Individual team members are responsible for setting goals and raising funds from co-workers, friends, neighbors, and family members. Each participant automatically receives an online fundraising page upon registration. You can use this page to solicit donors and have them support you via online donations. The average LTN participant raises $400. Teams can also conduct fundraisers such as bake sales, dress-down days, lemonade stands, golf tournaments—the sky is the limit! Be creative and have fun!
CONTACT US!
Can someone talk to our team about Light The Night?
Yes. LLS has staff members who would be more than happy to meet with you and your team to talk about Light The Night and help you build your team fundraising and recruitment plan. In addition, we have a Light The Night video that highlights personal stories and shows footage from previous Light The Night events. Contact your local region to arrange a visit.
Please contact your local region with questions about Light The Night Walk.
Need More Information?
Find Events | Request Information | 877-LTN-WALK
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Contact Light The Night by email or call 877-LTN-WALK