Nov. 3, 2009

By Cameron Harris, Assistant Media Relations Director

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - For the third consecutive year, the University of Tennessee baseball team participated in the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Light the Night Walk Thursday evening at Circle Park on the UT campus. The Volunteers exceeded their fundraising goal, raising $8,584 to increase their three-year total to more than $22,000 in support of research into the treatment and prevention of cancer.

UT head baseball coach Todd Raleigh, his staff and the entire Volunteers baseball team participated in Thursday's event, which is the nation's night to pay tribute and bring hope to thousands of patients battling blood cancers and to commemorate loved ones lost.

"I can't say thank you enough to everyone who participated," Raleigh said. "This is one of the most important events of the season for our team and to have so many people help out is always great to see. This is a very worthy cause that we are very proud to be able to support. It also serves as an opportunity to teach our players about how sports can be used to help others in need and what it means to be a true Volunteer."

Light The Night participants carry illuminated balloons to celebrate and commemorate lives touched by cancer. Funds raised support the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's mission: cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.

During a pre-walk ceremony, Raleigh - who lost his oldest brother, John Raleigh III, to Hodgkin's disease - lit four candles symbolizing grief, courage, memories and love. He then led the walk, which was the highest-attended Knoxville walk to date with over 1,200 balloons handed out, up from 770 last year.

While this year's local Light The Night Walk has now taken place, donations are still being accepted. To join the numerous Tennessee fans who have already given to this cause, visit http://pages.lightthenight.org/tn/ETN09/UTBaseball

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) funds lifesaving research that has contributed to major advances in the treatment of blood cancers and treatments for other types of cancer, such as chemotherapy and stem cell transplants. These treatments have helped patients live better, longer lives. New targeted therapies that kill cancer cells without harming normal tissue are providing drugs and procedures that are improving quality of life.

• A donation of $25 provides patients and their loved ones with FREE booklets that contain up-to-date information on their disease and help them make informed decisions about their treatment options.

• A donation of $50 makes possible a Family Support group with a trained facilitator where comfort can be found and experiences can be shared among patients and family members.

• A donation of $100 helps supply laboratory researchers with supplies and materials critical to carrying out their search for cures.

• A donation of $1,000 makes possible one- on-one conversations with health care specialists who provide patients with information about their disease, treatment options, and helps prepare them with questions for their health care team.