[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 129 (Thursday, September 26, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1384]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     LEUKEMIA & LYMPHOMA SOCIETY'S UPSTATE NEW YORK/VERMONT CHAPTER

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. CHRISTOPHER P. GIBSON

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 26, 2013

  Mr. GIBSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the generous staff, 
volunteers, and supporters of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Upstate 
New York/Vermont Chapter. On Saturday, September 28, in recognition of 
Blood Cancer Awareness Month, 1,000 walkers will gather at Siena 
College in Loudonville, NY for the chapter's Light the Night Walk. 
Participants have raised more than $200,000 to fund treatments that are 
saving the lives of blood cancer patients.
  I am delighted to formally recognize the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society 
for its hard work, community spirit, and dedication to fighting cancer. 
By bringing people together at Siena and similar events around the 
country this month, the society is making great strides in its mission 
to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma and improve 
the quality of life of patients and their families.
  Blood cancer is the number three cancer killer in our country. Nearly 
149,000 Americans are expected to be diagnosed in 2013. The Leukemia & 
Lymphoma Society has invested almost $1 billion in research, 
contributing to the development of life-saving drugs. Since 1963, 
myeloma survival rates have more than tripled. Lymphoma survival rates 
have more than doubled. Leukemia survival rates have more than 
quadrupled.
  This movement is made possible by the friends, families, and co-
workers of cancer patients who form fundraising teams around the 
Nation. These efforts culminate in inspirational evening walks in over 
200 U.S. communities, including the Siena campus and the city of 
Burlington, VT. Last year the Upstate New York/Vermont Chapter raised 
$1.1 million, hosted 19 educational seminars, welcomed 300 attendees to 
monthly support groups, and disbursed more than $300,000 in patient 
financial support.
  I want to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to 
this organization for bringing the light of hope and caring to the dark 
world of cancer. May God bless and protect these good citizens and 
their loved ones.

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