AMERICAN SYSTEMS has been a corporate sponsor of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Light the Night event for years, contributing financially and mustering strong employee participation.
But this year, AMERICAN SYSTEMS Vice President and Director Matt Hostutler has added an extra level of commitment in his new role as executive committee member for the event coming up Oct. 13 in Reston, Virginia.
“My beautiful daughter Mya battled brain and spine cancer – ependymoma – from first grade through eighth grade, so I personally understand the struggle for families with kids,” Hostutler said. “Though central nervous system cancer is different from blood cancer, the entire research cause to advance a cure holds a very near and dear place in my heart.”
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is the world’s largest voluntary nonprofit health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research and providing education and patient services. Its core work focuses on research, patient access, and policy and advocacy.
Among the yearly fundraisers for LLS are Visionary of the Year, Student Visionary of the Year, The Leukemia Ball, Athletic Initiatives and Dare to Dream — a new initiative that focuses on pediatric cancer. Light the Night is another major fundraiser.
“When you or someone you love hears the words ‘you have cancer,’ it’s one of the darkest moments of your life,” said Brandi Orcutt-Velez, campaign development director of Light the Night for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Mid-Atlantic region. “The Light the Night Walk brings light to the darkness of cancer by funding lifesaving research and support for people battling cancer. Family, friends and coworkers gather together to celebrate, honor or remember those touched by cancer.”
Light the Night is a “walk,” but Orcutt-Velez said it is better described as a block party or community festival. Corporate teams, friends and family teams, and school teams all come out to celebrate together. Registration is free, but walkers are encouraged to raise funds to support the mission.
“We at AMERICAN SYSTEMS support national priority programs, so we know how to throw our weight behind critical causes such as this,” Hostutler said. “It’s part of our commitment to give back, however we can. Light the Night is an outpouring of love and support for anyone who is touched by cancer. You have to physically be there to get the full effect — don’t miss it!”
John Steckel, vice president of corporate development at AMERICAN SYSTEMS and a previous member of the executive committee, is mentoring Hostutler in his new role.
“John is a wonderful mentor for me both in business and in this LLS role, and I’m honored that he would select me to follow in his footsteps,” Hostutler said. “The impact I want to stress is that cancer touches everyone in some shape or form, and that we shouldn’t be scared to share our struggles because there is an ocean of support resources available to those in need.”
Those who want to support LLS have several options – from fundraising and volunteering to advocating and participating in live events like Light the Night.
“When you give your time and talent to LLS, you become part of a diverse, vibrant community of supporters from all walks of life who are helping us cure blood cancers,” Orcutt-Velez said. “From raising critical funds to driving forward policies that benefit patients to providing support to families, our volunteers are changing the future of blood cancer treatment and care.”
Another way to become involved is to join efforts with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Office of Public Policy, which advocates on behalf of blood cancer patients and their families, to enact policies that will address the serious burdens of these diseases.
For more information, contact Orcutt-Velez at brandi.orcuttvelez@lls.org.