Dominick’s and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) Raise Nearly $90,000 to Fight Blood Cancers

Customers at Dominick’s stores in Illinois contributed almost $90,000 during a recent two-week campaign to support blood cancer research and support services for local patients.

The early spring fundraising drive – during which customers donated at the register – marked the seventh consecutive year that the Dominick’s grocery store chain, headquartered in Oak Brook, has partnered with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), the nation’s largest voluntary health agency dedicated to blood cancers.

Posters at each Dominick’s store and buttons worn by cashiers to encourage donations featured the smiling, proud face of Martez Bassett, a young blood cancer survivor from Chicago. In 2009, Martez was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) after doctors discovered a painful mass in his abdomen.

During more than three years in and out of treatment at Rush University Medical Center, Martez required measures such as a breathing tube, chemotherapy injections in his spine and the removal of a blood clot from one of his eyes. Martez lost vision in one of his eyes and will not regain it, but he has adjusted admirably.

In summer 2012, Martez completed treatment and is now a happy, healthy third grader in Chicago.

Thanks to Dominick’s and other generous supporters, LLS-funded research has dramatically improved chances of survival and quality of life for patients across the globe. In fact, in 1964 the chance of surviving ALL, the most common childhood leukemia, was just 3%. Today, it’s 90%.

"We are proud to partner with a leading Illinois retailer like Dominick's to support our fight against cancer," said Pam Swenk,　Executive　Director of the Illinois Chapter of LLS.

All are welcome to join LLS at the annual Light The Night Walk, which honors all those touched by blood cancers. Registration is now open for the 2013 Walk in September and October, with locations around Chicagoland, Northwest Indiana and in Rockford. Visit www.lightthenight.org/il for more information.

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.

About Dominick’s

Dominick’s Finer Foods, a division of Safeway Inc., operates more than 70 stores throughout the Chicagoland area. An important part of Dominick’s philosophy is to reinvest in communities through local educational programs, food donations and community-based outreach programs. Since 1925, Dominick's has been proud to be Chicagoland's neighborhood grocer. Visit