FAMILY AFFAIR. In support of their husband and father, Mark Letzeisen (center), who has fought Chronic Myeloid Leukemia for two years, Linda and Michael Letzeisen have organized a fundraiser for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society at China Cuisine on Wednesday, May 8. Dine-in or get takeout from 4-8 p.m. to help Michael reach his goal of raising $50,000 by May 31. He is also honoring the memory of a friend who died from Burkitts Lymphoma. (Courtesy Photo)
NORTH READING — The Letzeisen family of North Reading is hosting a benefit event for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society at China Cuisine next Wednesday, May 8 from 4-8 p.m. and the community is invited to dine-in or get take-out and be a part of China Cuisine for a Cause.
Simply stop by the restaurant and mention this benefit campaign to have 10 percent of the proceeds of your bill benefit this nonprofit organization and Michael Letzeisen’s mission to raise $50,000 for LLS.
Michael Letzeisen is a North Reading native and a former high school sports reporter for the Transcript. He is organizing the fundraiser to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) in honor of his father, Mark Letzeisen, and in memory of his friend and former coworker, Keith.
As Michael states on his website (www.FullThrottleAtCancer.com): “I have been given the opportunity of a lifetime to help others. Each year, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) launches its ‘Visionaries of the Year’ fundraising campaign, and this year I was honored to be nominated as a candidate. I am writing today to ask for your support of LLS’s mission in its efforts to find cures for blood cancers and to assist patients and families as they battle this disease.
“From March 21 to May 31, our team goal is to raise $50,000 which will go directly to LLS in support of its longstanding goal: a world without blood cancers.
“2022 was a difficult year. My dad, Mark, was brought to Tufts Medical Center after having some concerning symptoms. At the same time, my longtime co-worker and friend from UMass Lowell, Keith, was battling Burkitts Lymphoma. Keith was getting his last round of chemo at Tufts Medical while my dad was in the emergency room waiting to get a room. Keith was discharged and hopeful that his Lymphoma would go into remission, while my dad was diagnosed with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML).
“A few weeks later, Keith learned he was in remission and was the Honored Hero for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s 2022 Light the Night event. Keith’s cancer returned a few weeks after Light the Night, and he passed just two months later. LLS was able to assist Keith in many facets and continues to assist my Dad and so many others in their fight against blood cancer.
“When we reach $50,000, we can link our team’s efforts in honor of my Dad and in memory of Keith to an LLS-funded research portfolio, to further help people with blood cancers.”
Linda Letzeisen adds that she is assisting her son in this campaign “because I am seeing first-hand how my husband Mark has been dealing with his diagnosis over the last two years.”
LLS supports patients and their families through funding research of blood cancers as well as patient support and advocacy.
Remember to mention the benefit campaign when placing your order with your server or when getting takeout by calling 978-276-1888.
