Second-year medical student Benjamin McCormick led efforts to promote and coordinate the campaign.
Light the Night brings together cancer patients, survivors and friends and family of people in the community who have experienced the effects of cancer. The campaign provides an opportunity to raise money for a non-profit organization that directly provides funds for cancer research.
After McCormick’s father passed away from complications of a blood-based cancer earlier this year, he wanted to raise money for research efforts related to the disease. He reached out to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and has since become one of their community leaders known as a “Leader of Light.”
McCormick is interested in pursuing oncology as a future physician. He spent the past summer in the stem cell transplant clinic at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tenn., doing research with the physician who attended to his father’s transplant in 2011.
“As medical students and physicians at USA, we are the light for many people fighting cancer in the Mobile area,” McCormick said. “We will be the ones implementing the research funded by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in years to come, so I think it is very important for students and members of USA Health to be involved in community events like this.”
In addition to USA’s involvement with the Leukemia and Lymphoma’s campaign, McCormick also reached out the MudLove Organization, a non-profit organization that typically funds efforts for safer drinking water in Africa. They also partner with communities for local causes. In this instance, Mudlove is working with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in an effort to raise funds for cancer research and treatment through the sale of handcrafted mugs and wrist bands.
McCormick is grateful to the 20 medical student team members who participated in the Light the Night event and many friends and family members who provided support.
“Thank you to everyone who came out to support the Light the Night celebration and for those of you who donated to our campaign,” McCormick said. “This event has a huge impact on funding cancer research nationwide and will no doubt lead to better treatment options in years to come,” he said.
To donate directly to McCormick’s campaign for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, click here.
To purchase handmade items from the MudLove Organization that will go directly to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, click here.
