Locals 655 and 88 urge donations to help fight blood borne cancers

Normal Leukemia/Lymphoma Society fundraisers canceled by pandemic

Around this time of year, United Food and Commercial Workers Local 655 would normally be promoting its annual Joe Pretti Golf Tournament, and UFCW Local 88 would be encouraging participation in the annual Light the Night fundraiser in Forest Park – both benefiting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Neither event will be happening this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but cancer hasn’t been canceled, and Locals 655 and 88 are urging participation in this year’s fundraising efforts, even without the usual events.

UFCW 655 JOE PRETTI GOLF TOURNAMENT
“We simply could not host a tournament that is up to our normal standards due to the numerous safety precautions required during the COVID-19 crisis, and we would not be comfortable providing anything other than the best possible experience for our generous participants,” David Cook, president of Local 655, said in a letter requesting donations to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS).

Local 655 raised more than $80,000 for LLS at last year’s golf tournament – all of which directly benefitted LLS. Cook is urging donations to help LLS continue its research, despite the pandemic.

“We know COVID-19 is what we are all thinking about day-to-day, but LLS is continuing to do the important work of finding new treatments and cures for blood cancers, and their work continues even during this chaotic year,” Cook said.

Donations can be made by mailing a check, payable to UFCW Local 655 Leukemia & Lymphoma Fund, a 501c (3), to 300 Weidman Rd., Ballwin, MO 63011

UFCW 88 LIGHT THE NIGHT FUNDRAISER
For six consecutive years, Local 88 has supported the efforts of the LLS to fight blood-borne cancers by participating in the annual Light the Night fundraiser in Forest Park.

“Unfortunately, as with seemingly everything else this year, COVID-19 has forced the cancellation of this year’s event,” Local 88 President Dan Telle said.

Although the event is canceled, LLS is hosting a virtual fundraiser Thursday, Oct. 8, at 7 p.m. to “Bring light to the darkness of cancer.”

Local 88’s goal is to raise $50,000 for LLS through mail-in donations and participation in the virtual event.

“Through continued research, great headway has been made on curing these diseases,” Telle said, “but there is still much work to be done.”

HOW TO PARTICIPATE AND DONATE
For more information on the virtual fundraiser, visit lightthenight.org/events/st-louis.

Or you can mail a check made payable to the Leukemia/Lymphoma Society to UFCW Local 88 at 5730 Elizabeth Ave., St. Louis, MO 63110.