Chaska, MN - Subaru of America and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) have joined forces to provide much needed support and warmth to patients fighting cancer in the Chaska community and across the country.  

{image_1}On Thursday, July 7, Minnesota Oncology’s Chaska Clinic in the Lakeview Professional Building at 110105 Pioneer Trail, accepted a donation of 60 blankets for cancer patients currently being treated at Minnesota Oncology clinics across the metro.

“We are grateful for this generous donation from Morrie’s Subaru,” said Alicia Wojchik, AOCNP, advanced practice provider at Minnesota Oncology’s Chaska Clinic. “These beautiful blankets will be given as gifts to patients at our clinics to keep them comfortable as they undergo chemotherapy treatments.”

LLS patient ambassador Ken Bailey, who was on hand for the donation acceptance, knows firsthand the importance of spreading hope to patients fighting cancer. On Aug. 23, 2005, Ken was diagnosed as having Diffuse Large B-Cell Follicular Lymphoma that was later reversed to Mantle Cell Lymphoma. 

After a year of various treatments that included chemotherapy, radiation and an autologous transplant, Ken’s cancer finally went into remission in September of 2006. Ken shares that one of the first things he did when his cancer went into remission was sign up as a volunteer with LLS. “That (being in remission) prompted me to want to help LLS and seek any opportunity I can to help others going through the same thing as me,” said Ken.  

Over the past ten years, Ken has been on a “watch and wait” treatment program to monitor his health. Until this year, when he was given a momentous prognosis by his doctor. On April 5, his doctor discharged him from the watch and wait treatment program and told him that he is basically considered cured. 

“When I started my treatment, my doctor told me there was no cure for what I had,” said Ken, “now, ten years later, with the support of my family and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, we finally made it.”  

During Subaru Loves to Care month in June, visitors of Morrie’s Minnetonka Subaru were given the chance to write a personalized message of hope on a card that will be delivered alongside the blankets to patients undergoing cancer treatment at MN Oncology. Those who wrote a message of hope also received a special bracelet to help spread awareness of LLS and Morrie’s Minnetonka Subaru’s goal to provide hope and care, one gesture at a time. 

In June, close to 400 Subaru retailers donated more than 30,000 blankets along with thousands of messages of hope to patients fighting cancer across the country. 

“Through our Subaru Love Promise we aim to make the world a better place and our owners care deeply about giving back in their local communities,” said Alan Bethke, senior vice president of marketing at Subaru of America. “We are proud to team up with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society to help provide care and support to patients battling cancer and their families.” 

LLS president and CEO, Dr. Louis J. DeGennaro says, “This initiative with Subaru is a perfect fit for LLS. Through our network of 56 chapters and Subaru’s presence in communities across the country, together, we are reaching and supporting even more patients, families and caregivers in their time of need. Through this initiative to raise awareness for the urgent need to find cancer cures and ensure patients have access to lifesaving treatments, Subaru is helping us make someday, today, for blood cancer patients.” 

Visit www.lls.org/subaru to learn more about LLS's mission and impact, and how to help Subaru and LLS make someday, today for blood cancer patients.   

About Minnesota Oncology
Minnesota Oncology is a group of more than 70 oncology and hematology specialists dedicated solely to the diagnosis and treatment of various cancers – lung, breast, gynecological, colorectal, prostate and others – as well as many blood disorders.  It has 11 locations across the Twin Cities metropolitan area and is the largest independent oncology practice in the region.  For more information please visit mnoncology.com. 

About Subaru of America, Inc.
Subaru of America, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. of Japan. Headquartered at a zero-landfill office in Cherry Hill, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru vehicles, parts and accessories through a network of more than 620 retailers across the United States. All Subaru products are manufactured in a zero-landfill production plants and Subaru of Indiana Automotive Inc. is the only U.S. automobile production plant to be designated a Certified Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. For additional information, visit media.subaru.com. 

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, provides free information and support services, and is the voice for all blood cancer patients seeking access to quality, affordable, coordinated care. 

Founded in 1949 and headquartered in Rye Brook, NY, LLS has chapters throughout the United States and Canada. The Minnesota Chapter serves patients in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. To learn more, visit www.LLS.org. Patients should contact the Information Resource Center at (800) 955-4572, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. CST