Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Fundraiser - Cruise For A Cure In Newport Harbor On July 13, 5-9 pm

“Cruise for a Cure,” a sunset cruise through Newport Harbor to raise money to save lives fighting leukemia, lymphoma and other blood cancers, will be held Sunday, July 13, 2008 on the Endeavor yacht from 5-9 pm. While cruising Newport Harbor, the evening will also include OC's top dance band, Blues Racket Band, delicious food and a silent auction filled with many outstanding items. End Quote

Orange County, CA (1888PressRelease) June 23, 2008 - The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) Orange County/Inland Empire Chapter announces its Fourth Annual “Cruise for a Cure,” a sunset cruise through Newport Harbor to raise money to save lives fighting leukemia, lymphoma and other blood cancers. The event, co-chaired four years in a row by Ted and Connie O’Connor, will be held on Sunday, July 13, 2008 on the Endeavor yacht, from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m., 2901 W. Coast Hwy., Newport Beach, Calif. While cruising Newport Harbor, the evening will also include champagne, delicious food, a silent auction filled with many outstanding items plus a raffle for a week in Mexico at one of the Westin Regina Resorts. Orange County’s top dance band, Blues Racket Band, will provide the live entertainment.

The O’Connors, members of Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club in Corona del Mar, have helped raise more than $120,000 to find cures for blood cancer. Long-time volunteers with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, they ramped up their efforts when a friend was diagnosed with lymphoma. They coupled their Leukemia Cup Regatta with a spectators’ fundraising event, Cruise for a Cure, which now attracts up to 150 people. Last year, the O'Connors raised $56,000 with their Cruise for a Cure and additional donations.

American Yacht Charters, in conjunction with Captain Stuart Sitko and Andrea Waite, are donating the Endeavor yacht. Bluewater Grill restaurant in Newport Beach, among many others, are donating delicious food for the event.

"We have great silent auction items including a Duffy Electric Boat contributed by the Duffy Electric Boat Company, a child's pedal car from Crevier BMW, a beautiful woman's ring from Carol Klein Jewelers, a limited edition signed print from John Mecray, and much more," noted Ted O'Connor.

Other local and national sponsors include Robert and Kathy Bambeck, California Mutual, Champ Steel, Eisel Enterprises, KKE Architects, The Log, Mount Gay Rum, Prentiss Insurance Services, Sign Advantage, Testa Capital Group, Weingarten Realty, and many others.

The cost of the evening is $125. To purchase tickets or make a donation, please visit www.leukemiacup.org/ociecruise or make check payable to “The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society” and mail your check to: c/o Ted O’Connor- California Mutual, 4299 MacArthur Blvd., Suite 207, Newport Beach, CA 92660.

“Every five minutes, someone in the United States is diagnosed with leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma. Every 10 minutes, someone dies from these cancers,” said Connie O’Connor. “Participation in ‘Cruise for a Cure’ not only promises to be a fabulous evening of fun and entertainment, it provides people with the opportunity to make a difference and save lives! We are hoping that if people can't attend, they will at least donate some money. Every bit helps.”

O’Connor adds that leukemia causes more deaths than any other cancer among children and young adults under the age of 20.

Questions about the event, please contact Co-Chair Connie O'Connor at (714) 612-0581.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is the world’s largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research, education and patient services. The mission of LLS is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Since its founding in 1949, LLS has invested more than $550 million for research specifically targeting blood cancers. The Society’s Orange County/Inland Empire chapter office is located at 2020 East 1st Street, Suite 120, Santa Ana, CA 92705. Phone: (714) 881-0610. Website: www.lls.org.

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