Sedano’s Lights The Way To A Cure.

If you’ve been to a Sedano’s Supermarket in the month of August, you may have seen hundreds of paper balloons taped to their walls and windows. Hopefully you bought one. If you did, you helped in the fight against cancer. For the fourth consecutive year, all Sedano’s Supermarkets are participating during the months of August and September in a paper balloon sales campaign to help raise funds and awareness for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Light The Night Walk.

Light The Night is a walk held every year in the fall in more than 260 communities throughout the country. Cancer survivors, families, friends and co-workers walk together to celebrate and commemorate lives touched by cancer. Participants carry illuminated balloons that make the walk really unique – red balloons for supporters and white balloons for survivors. A path of light shines in our communities, providing support and hope for those suffering from blood cancer.

This year Light The Night Walks throughout the country are expected to raise over $32 million to support The Society’s efforts to find a cure for blood cancers such as leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma. Part of this money comes from the paper balloon sales. Retailers nationwide offer their customers the opportunity to take part in the campaign by purchasing paper balloons for a donation of $1 or more.

In South Florida The Society’s number one retail partner for balloon sales is Sedano’s Supermarket. In 2004, their third year of balloon sales, Sedano’s stores raised more than $18,000 to benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Southern Florida Chapter. This year they expect to raise over $23,000.

“Every penny we raise makes a difference in patients’ lives and helps The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society find a cure for life threatening diseases,” said Claudia Chavarria, the bookkeeper and promoter of the balloon sales at the Sedano’s in West Kendall. “I personally motivate the cashiers to sell as many paper balloons as they can and I’m glad to see all the support we receive from our community. If you’re in the area, make sure to stop in to see us, and while you’re here, purchase a balloon.”