West Marine and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society partner again for cancer research

WATSONVILLE, California—West Marine and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) are partnering for the fourth year in a row to raise money for cancer research. The fundraiser will take place at all West Marine stores between Sept. 1 and Sept. 30. The money West Marine receives will be given to LLS, allowing the society to research the cure for blood cancers and provide patient services.

Customers can participate in the cancer research fundraiser by purchasing a paper sailboat during their West Marine visit. The customer can add his or her name to the sailboat, which would then be displayed in-store.

The boating, fishing and sailing retailer has raised almost $200,000 for LLS since partnering with the society in September 2016.

Paralleling the month-long paper sailboat fundraiser is the Leukemia Cup Regatta. The regatta is a series of sailing events at yacht clubs across the country.

“Since the inception of the Leukemia Cup Regatta in 1988, over $70 million has been raised to help advance the LLS mission,” West Marine staff said in a released statement. “Regatta participants seek donations from friends, coworkers, family and companies to sponsor their boat. Funds help support life-saving research and patient services, bringing hope to patients and their families.”

Every dollar raised by West Marine will be donated to leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma research, according to Laura Barry, the boating, fishing and sailing retailer’s director of marketing communications.

“For the past three years, West Marine has been proud to partner with LLS and our customers to contribute to the organization’s mission – a world without blood cancers,” Barry said in a released statement. “One hundred percent of each donation supports LLS to help in the fight against leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Each year, our associates and more so, our customers, go above and beyond to donate to this cause and we cannot thank them enough.”

Sailor Gary Jobson, a lymphoma survivor who also serves as National Chairman Emeritus of the Leukemia Cup Regatta, said the West Marine-LLS paper sailboat fundraiser actually goes a long way in supporting the battles many families endure in fighting cancer.

“West Marine’s unfailing support and the generosity of the sailing community has been key in enabling LLS to help more patients and their families who are on the front lines of the cancer battle. I am living proof of the research and treatment advances,” Jobson said in a released statement.

West Marine has 240-plus stores in 38 states and Puerto Rico.

More information about West Marine and the LLS Leukemia Cup Regatta Series is available online at events.lls.org/home/westmarine2019.