Dr. and Mrs. Robert Sinyard named as chairpersons of 2013 Athens Light The Night Walk

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society announces Dr. and Mrs. Robert Sinyard of Athens as Chairpersons for the Georgia Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) annual Light The Night® Walk to be held in Athens on October 4, 2013.

Robert and Leslie Sinyard, both graduates of The University of Georgia, returned to Athens twenty-five years ago and believe it is one of the greatest places to live in the State of Georgia.  Dr. Sinyard accepted a position with Athens Cardiology Group in 1988 and continues to work for the practice, now part of Athens Regional Health System.   After staying home with their children, Trey (24), Blake (22) and Elizabeth (19), Leslie recently returned to work as a part-time administrative assistant at Burney-Campbell Investments.

Dr. and Mrs. Sinyard are active in the community; they teach college Bible study at Beech Haven Baptist Church and enjoy running, tennis, taking long walks, and cheering for the Dawgs at UGA sporting events.

 “Light The Night is a great way to build a spirit of caring and cooperation among members of our community as they help others,” said Dr. Sinyard. “It is a perfect fit for me to be a part of this wonderful organization that values supporting people in our community.”

 “We are extremely grateful for Robert and Leslie’s support and know that their participation and enthusiasm is vital to our efforts to make a difference,” says Kelly Dolan, Executive Director of the Georgia Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Dr. and Mrs. Sinyard lead the Executive Committee, a group of Athens Business Leaders who work to grow the Walk in the Athens Community.  This year’s Executive Committee includes former Walk Chairman Mark Williams of Boswell Insurance Group, Loran Smith of UGA Athletic Association, Sarah Bennett, Nathan Bartlett of Georgia Power, Elaine Cook of Athens Regional Health System, Brian Evans of St. Mary’s, Abby Bryant of First American Bank & Trust, Kellie Jones of Bone Dry Roofing, and Tom Lopp and Mary Hobbs of Power Partners. To learn more about the Athens Light The Night Walk, join the Kickoff Celebration on Tuesday, July 16th at Ciné from 5:30-7:30pm.

In Georgia, Light The Night’s fundraising efforts include a total of five Walks throughout the state and has grown from $460,000 in 2003 to more than $2.1 million statewide in 2012.  During the evening event, walkers carry an illuminated balloon along the route.  Cancer patients and survivors will carry white balloons as “lights of hope,” supporters carry red balloons and those walking in remembrance of someone carry gold balloons.

This year’s Athens Light The Night Walk is expected to draw over 800 participants with a goal of raising $115,000 for LLS. Donations will be used to fund lifesaving blood cancer research, free educational materials and events for patients and families, local family and patient support programs and financial aid for patients and their families.
 
For more information about the Athens Walk, visit www.lightthenight.org/ga or contact Jessica Reijmer, Athens Walk Manager, at Jessica.Reijmer@lls.org or 404-720-7822.

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. 
 
The Georgia Chapter serves patients with a variety of programs including the Patti Robinson Kaufmaunn First Connection Program, the Trish Greene Back to School program for children with cancer and the LLS Co-Pay Assistance Program which last year provided over $1.08 million to patients statewide. Currently, the Georgia Chapter funds $1.07 million towards research grants in a multi-year agreement with Emory Winship Cancer Institute. There were approximately 3,650 new diagnoses for blood cancer in Georgia in 2011.