2017 Highland Ventures, Ltd Round It Up for Lymphoma Campaign Raises More than $1 Million to Fund Research Aimed at Finding a Cure for Lymphoma Cancer
A unified fundraising effort that brought together more than 930 retail locations throughout the United States has resulted in more than $1 million raised for much needed research to find a cure for lymphoma cancer.
Highland Ventures, Ltd. and its family of retail brands, which includes Family Video, Marco's Pizza, Stay Fit 24 and Digital Doc, came together this March to host the sixth annual Round It Up for Lymphoma campaign. The fundraising included rounding up customer transactions to the nearest dollar. Plus, several store managers took the initiative to host silent auctions, organize events such as 5K runs/walks, and several other donation opportunities.
"Each year we set our expectations high, seeking to come close to or surpass $1 million dollars. Nevertheless, we still cannot believe just how impactful Round It Up has become. There are countless stories during the two-and-a-half weeks coming out of the stores that demonstrate the tremendous selflessness of our customers and employees," said Keith Hoogland, President of Highland Ventures, Ltd. "Lymphoma is the most common blood cancer and it represents one in every five cancer diagnoses. Far too often within our organization the disease has affected us directly and through personal and family relationships. Together, we are making a difference."
The spirited fundraising began March 10 and continued through March 26 at all stores in the Highland Ventures, Ltd. family of brands. Now in its sixth year, the Round It Up for Lymphoma fundraising campaign has raised more than $6.8 million. All monies raised have and will continue to be donated to Highland Ventures, Ltd. philanthropic partners Lymphoma Research Foundation (LRF) and the Hoogland Lymphoma Biobank at University of Chicago Medicine. Since 2012, when the charity partnerships were formed, 14 new lymphoma treatment drugs and 63 research grants have been approved, according to LRF.
"The continued support of Family Video and the generosity of its customers during Round it Up has directly enabled the Lymphoma Research Foundation to invest critical research funding into some of today's most exciting areas of blood cancer research," said Meghan Gutierrez, Chief Executive Officer of the Lymphoma Research Foundation. "As the nation's largest organization dedicated exclusively to supporting innovative lymphoma research programs, we believe that the funds and awareness generated from unique partnerships such as Round it Up will help to move us closer to a cure than ever before."
In addition to LRF, the fundraising is helping provide researchers at University of Chicago Medicine with the resources needed to make new discoveries towards a cure. The University's Hoogland Lymphoma Biobank has nearly reached its goal by collecting more than 500 blood and tissue samples it needs to advance research.
"The Biobank wouldn't exist without Round it Up. It allows for human capital to be dedicated to the research," said Dr. Sonali Smith, the Director of the Lymphoma Program at University of Chicago Medicine. "Our research is helping make meaningful connections to determine how diet and lifestyle play a role in this horrible disease."
For more information about Round It Up, visit www.familyvideo.com/round-it-up.
About Highland Ventures, LTD. - www.highlandventuresltd.com
Highland Ventures, LTD. is the parent company of Family Video, Hoogland Foods (dba Marco's Pizza), Stay Fit 24, Digital Doc and Legacy Commercial Properties. Highland Ventures operates over 930 retail locations across the United States and Canada. It has developed more than 650 retail strip centers under their commercial properties division, with tenants ranging from Fortune 500 companies to local community retailers.
About The University of Chicago Medicine's Lymphoma Program - uchospitals.edu/lymphoma
The University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center has been at the forefront of cancer care and discovery for more than 50 years. Many of the roots of chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, gene therapy, and bone marrow transplantation can be traced back to the Cancer Center. More than 210 physician scientists are conducting basic, clinical and translational research to study cancer from all angles, enabling the incorporation of personalized medicine into routine care. Established through the generous funds of the Round It Up for Lymphoma campaign, the Hoogland Lymphoma Biobank was established in 2013. Since then, the biobank has enrolled over 800 patients into the program and received over 500 blood and tissue samples for testing.
About the Lymphoma Research Foundation - lymphoma.org
The Lymphoma Research Foundation (LRF) is the nation's largest non-profit organization devoted to funding innovative research and serving the lymphoma community through a comprehensive series of education programs, outreach initiatives and patient services. To date, LRF has awarded more than $55 million in lymphoma-specific research.