LLS awarded $2100 grant, reaches $1 million milestone

Foundation Beyond Belief is thrilled to announce that the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS)  is our Q4 2015 Small Grant Awardee, with a monetary award of $2100 through our Humanist Giving Program. FBB has a rich history of service with LLS, including years of support of the Light the Night walks. With the addition of this latest award, FBB's total support of LLS comes to more than $1,000,000 since 2012.

We have worked to unite freethinkers all over the world behind the common goal of fighting cancer. In our first year, we were joined by more than 150 local freethought organizations and 20 national partners and raised $430,000, the most money ever raised by a first-year non-corporate LLS partner, and the fourth most raised by any team. Our second year we raised another $500,000, with more than 80 teams participating in the effort.

The money raised funds science, education, and compassionate patient services. In addition to helping people with cancer and contributing to research on cancer treatment and prevention, this effort provides a focus for compassionate humanism working for a better world. We might not share the same beliefs with our neighbors, but everyone can unite against cancer.

Incredibly, we’re already seeing the effects of this fundraising including FDA approval of the drug Ibrutinib for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. LLS funded clinical trials and other studies of Ibrutinib’s usefulness in treating a variety of  lymphomas and the doctor who led the research team at Ohio State credits the LLS funding for making the FDA approval possible.

Foundation Beyond Belief is honored to be part of such important work and is grateful for the generosity of our donors, Light the Night teams, and walkers over the years. Without your help, we could not have made this incredible donation.

Photo credit: North Florida Atheists who walked in a Light the Night event in November 2013.