Each September, during Blood Cancer Awareness Month, Burlington and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) team up to create awareness for the urgent need to fund research to advance cancer cures for the nearly 1.3 million people in the U.S. are living with, or are in remission from a blood cancer.
In its 16-year partnership with LLS, Burlington has donated more than $29 million to the organization, making it the #1 National Corporate Partner and Honored Friend of LLS. With Burlington's amazing fundraising efforts and support, LLS has helped played a role in most of the therapies used to treat blood cancer patients.
Beginning on September 17, 2017, Burlington will ask its customers to donate $1 or more at checkout. The program will continue through December 9, 2017, in all 599 Burlington stories nationwide, during LLS’s Light The Night fundraising campaign, featuring 150 walks across the country each fall. All donations support LLS’s work to fund cancer research to advance lifesaving treatments.
Joining Burlington and LLS to support the cause for the first time is singer and songwriter Jordin Sparks, an avid activist for cancer research. On September 19, she will join Burlington and LLS at the retailer’s flagship location in New York City’s Union Square, for an inspiring event to recognize four young blood cancer survivors and surprise them with a full fashion makeover and brand new fall wardrobe. These young heroes are also featured within the in-store campaign at all Burlington locations nationwide. Here are their heroic stories:
Athena/ leukemia survivor
In May 2012, my daughter, Athena’s hospital crib rolled down the halls of the hospital’s pediatric oncology floor. This would be her home for the next two months. She was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), and needed to receive intense treatment. Needles, chemotherapy, surgeries, and medication became our family’s new normal for more than two years.
Thankfully, there was light at the end of the tunnel. Athena is now six-years-old and living life to the fullest. She loves music and having tea parties with her big brothers. We are so grateful for the medicine and technology that helped save our little girl.
Jackson/ leukemia survivor
In many ways, my son, Jackson is a typical eight-year-old boy who loves Elmo and ice cream. But in other ways, he is anything but typical. He was born with Down syndrome and he's also a cancer survivor.
In 2010, when Jackson was just a toddler, he was diagnosed with leukemia. The diagnosis seemed insurmountable. He spent more than 150 long nights in the hospital, but his spirit and will to live is relentless. He has been off treatment and cancer free since September 2015.
Myrrah/ leukemia survivor
When Myrrah was six-years-old, she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Her family lived in India at the time, where she received a year of intense treatment. When Myrrah’s blood work showed no signs of cancer, her family celebrated with a vacation to Europe.
Then, during a routine checkup they learned that Myrrah’s cancer had returned and the doctors said there was nothing more they could do. Desperate for hope, Myrrah and her father travelled to New York and met with LLS-funded researcher, Dr. Andrew Kung.
In 2016, after a year of treatment and a bone marrow transplant from her older brother, Myrrah’s lab work showed no sign of cancer. Today, she loves cooking and is thriving in school.
Giovanni/ lymphoma survivor
In July 2016, my son, Giovanni was diagnosed with lymphoma. For nearly a year, he went through countless surgeries, blood transfusions and various chemo cycles, but he always kept a smile on his face.
While in treatment, Giovanni’s bravery caught the attention of many, including athletes and even his hometown police department, where he was bestowed the honor of “Police Chief” for the day. He has an amazing spirit and it beams through every smile he gives. Giovani underwent surgery and in February 2017, we were told that he was in remission. We had a huge party for him.
Each survivor was styled and photographed by Burlington.
To find a store near you and to shop online, visit www.BurlingtonStores.com.
Be part of the celebration. To register for a Light The Night event near you, visit www.lightthenight.org