The horrors of blood cancers, the likes of leukemia and lymphoma, are enough to make even the strongest of us feel powerless. Fortunately, organizations such as the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) are leading the way in the battle against blood cancers, but they need funding to keep up the fight.
But we are but boaters, not oncologists (at least not all of us), so what can we do? It turns out, quite a bit.
Enter the annual Leukemia Cup Regatta, which serves as the season opener for the Elliott Bay Marina Downtown Sailing Series. The fundraiser is the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s annual sailing regatta that challenges the boating community to join LLS in its mission to fight against blood cancers. There is no limit to who may join the fun (both on and off the water) to help support the cause. The LLS’ goal for the 2016 Leukemia Cup fundraiser is $250,000. Will you set sails to save lives? The gauntlet has been thrown.
The LLS is the world’s largest voluntary health agency that’s dedicated to finding cures of leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, and all other blood cancers. According to LLS, someone is diagnosed with blood cancer every four minutes, and blood cancer claims a life every ten minutes. Every dollar is needed, and fundraisers like the Leukemia Cup Regatta keep the research funded.
The fee to sign up one’s boat is $175 and all crew of registered boats participate for free. Last year the Seattle Yacht Club hosted 23 members as skippers, and the LLS looks forward to more yacht clubs stepping up to the plate this year. Family and friends are more than welcome to join at the luau after-party. The $20 tickets grant access to food, drinks, raffle prize drawings, and games that are sure to entertain.
