The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society hosts Egg Hunt to thank community for their "egg-ceptional" support throughout the years

April 17, 2011 -- After 45 years of support and charitable work from the local St. Louis community, The Gateway Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) strapped on their bunny ears to host their First Annual "Hunt for a Cure."

1,000 children plus their parents turned out for the event on April 16, which was held as a thank you to the countless LLS supporters and volunteers who have given their time, talents and monies in the "hunt" for treatments and cures. It was also hosted to bring awareness to the fact that blood cancer is the number one cancer killer among children.

"It is heartbreaking that these children spend the majority of their childhood years in the hospital," said Debbie Kersting, Executive Director of the Gateway Chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. "That is why we wanted to offer them a special day in the park with their family, friends and supporters."

This event, which had over 40,000 hidden eggs in Forest Park's Langenberg Field, was possible in special part to multiple community partners, including:

• 27 area senior centers from Alexian Brothers Lansdowne Village, Beauvais Manor on the Park, Bethesda Meadow, Bethesda Meadow, Big Bend Woods Healthcare, Brooking Park, Cedarcrest Manor, Delmar Gardens of Chesterfield, Delmar Gardens on Creve Coeur, Delmar Gardens on the Green, Delmar Gardens of Meramec Valley, Delmar Gardens North, Delmar Gardens of O'Fallon, Delmar Gardens South, Delmar Gardens West, Chesterfield Villas, Garden Villas, Garden Villas North, Garden Villas of O'Fallon, Garden Villas South, Grand River Nursing & Rehab, Lutheran Senior Services Breeze Park, Lutheran Senior Services Laclede Groves, Lutheran Senior Services Meramec Bluffs, Lutheran Senior Services Meridian Village, Lutheran Senior Services Richmond Terrace, Mari de Villa, Surrey Place
• 19 participating radio stations from Bonneville St. Louis Radio Group, CBS Radio, Clear Channel, Emmis Communications, KTRS and Radio One
• Visitation Academy
• Corporate sponsors Citigroup, UPS, RehabCare, St. Louis Children?s Hospital, and Once Upon Dreams

For additional information on programs or services provided by The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, contact the Gateway Chapter at 314-878-0780.

About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is the world's largest voluntary health agency dedicated to blood cancer. The LLS mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research around the world and provides free information and support services. 

Founded in 1949 and headquartered in White Plains, NY, LLS has chapters throughout the United States and Canada. To learn more, visit www.LLS.org or contact the Information Resource Center at (800) 955-4572, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET. www.lls.org.