U.S. Soccer Hero Landon Donovan, Who Wore Number TEN in the World Cup, and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Launch a TEN Day Mobile Giving Campaign

Campaign aims to raise money to defeat childhood cancer

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Aug 12, 2010, 02:52 ET

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., Aug. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Landon Donovan, who dazzled U.S. soccer fans with his goal-scoring prowess during the 2010 World Cup, while wearing number TEN, has set his sights on another goal: beating cancer.

With honored hero Ryan Darby, a 7-year-old leukemia survivor, for inspiration, Donovan has partnered with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) for a TEN Day mobile giving campaign to raise money to support blood cancer research and patient services.

"I've always been focused on 'the goal,' " says Donovan. "That's why I've joined LLS to brighTEN the future with a TEN day challenge to help raise money to beat childhood cancer. Back to school season is the perfect time to focus attention on all of those kids like Ryan who are battling leukemia and other blood cancers."

The campaign is simple: From August 16 through August 26, participants use their mobile phones to text "GOAL" to 90999 to donate $10 to help kids like Ryan. Donations can also be made online by clicking www.lls.org/10.

Ryan was just a first-grader at his school in Bethesda, MD, when he was diagnosed with leukemia. He has responded well to treatment and is currently in remission thanks to scientific breakthroughs made in treating pediatric leukemia over the past few decades. Research advances have enabled more children than ever to survive leukemia but the need is still critical. Leukemia kills more children and young adults under the age of 20 than any other cancer.

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.