A triple threat collaboration among The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), New York Community Bank (NYCB) and WWE surprised Long Island cancer survivor, Luke Lang, with a meet and greet from WWE Superstars Roman ReignsTM, Bobby LashleyTM and Dolph ZigglerTM as NYCB LIVE, home of the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum hosted WWE Monday Night RAW.
As a longstanding partner with LLS, the world’s largest voluntary health organization dedicated to fighting blood cancer, New York Community Bank initiated a Random Act of Light by reaching out to their partners at NYCB LIVE, home of the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum after hearing about Luke’s tough battle with leukemia and love for wrestling. Random Acts of Light supports LLS’s powerful and unique fundraising campaign, Light The Night, and helps bring moments of light to people suffering from blood cancers who are feeling overwhelmed in the darkness that can come with a cancer diagnosis.
Luke Lang, 10, of North Bellmore, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in March 2013, and after three years undergoing chemotherapy he is in remission.
Luke was all smiles meeting Bobby Lashley and Dolph Ziggler. But for his personal favorite, Roman Reigns he could not contain his excitement and mess around a bit. Luke is one brave fighter with an attitude that is simple, losing is not an option. “This experience makes me truly believe that there is hope beyond words and that you never fight alone,” Rich Lang, Luke’s father, says.
“When someone you love hears the words, ‘You have cancer’ it’s one of the darkest moments of your life,” said Sara Lipsky, Executive Director, LLS Long Island Chapter. “We were thrilled to be able to partner with New York Community Bank and the WWE to bring some light to Luke, and we’re so grateful for their generosity.”
LLS launched the Random Acts of Light initiative in 2016 and, to date, more than 40 patients and survivors across the country have been surprised with special moments, including some with favorite athletes and celebrities. This gift of an exclusive one-on-one meet and greet with WWE Superstars and tickets to Monday Night Raw is the perfect addition to this movement to shine the spotlight on the urgent need to fund research to advance new and better cancer treatments and cures, to assist patients in accessing treatment, and to create awareness for the impact of LLS in the cancer arena.
Since it began in 1999, Light The Night has helped LLS invest more than $1.2 billion in research to advance lifesaving treatments and cures for blood cancers. This fall, 140 Light The Night Walks will take place across North America; approximately one million walk participants 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 who have been lost.
For more information on Random Acts of Light visit, www.lightthenight.org/ways/random-acts-light.
