Light The Night — The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) campaign that raised more than $68.5 million at 150 nighttime walks in 2016 — today was named the Peer-to-Peer Professional Forum’s Program of the Year.
LLS’s signature fundraising campaign had a record year in 2016, increasing its revenues by $7.3 million, or 12 percent, from 2015.
The record fundraising total for Light The Night follows a decade of substantial growth for the program, which has nearly doubled its revenues since 2007.
It also comes at a time when many other large peer-to-peer fundraising programs are struggling to keep pace. Revenues for the 30 largest peer-to-peer fundraising programs declined by 2.77 percent in 2016, according to the Peer-to-Peer Professional Forum’s annual survey of U.S. campaigns.
Light The Night is the 9th largest peer-to-peer fundraising program in America and it registered the largest dollar increase of any program in 2016.
“Light The Night proves that campaigns that have a clear vision and strong leadership can thrive, even as many large national programs are facing declines,” said David Hessekiel, founder and president of the Peer-to-Peer Professional Forum. “The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society continues to grow this substantial program through important investments in staff training and improvements in communicating to how their fundraising efforts are helping to advance breakthroughs in cancer treatment.”
Light The Night participants take part in walks in cities across the United States and Canada and collect donations from friends, family members, and co-workers. The walks also feature a powerful celebration in which survivors carry illuminated lanterns – white in honor of survivors and the power of research; red in support of patients and finding cures; and gold in remembrance of those lost to the diseases.
“The impact of this inspiring campaign is undeniable, and we owe that success to our volunteers who selflessly dedicate their time and energy to shine a light on the importance of finding cures,” said Coker Powell, senior vice president for Light The Night. “When you or someone you love hears the words, ‘you have cancer,’ it’s one of the darkest moments of your life, but Light The Night is bringing light and making a real impact on the lives of blood cancer patients.”