Since 1994, West Marine has been a national sponsor of The Leukemia Cup Regatta series, which has raised over $27 million in support of LLS's mission to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's Disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life for patients and their families.

The West Marine stores in the Greater San Francisco Bay area have come together to participate in an exciting new campaign for LLS. Through the West Marine Challenge Campaign, we hope to raise as much money as possible to accelerate cures for the patients and their families who are on the front lines of the battle against blood cancers. Especially in these challenging times, we need to reach down and do even more to provide help and hope.

Here's how you can support this campaign:

1) Register online now and create your own fundraising page. Your fundraising Web page will be part of your local store's fundraising efforts in the West Marine Challenge.

2) Ask your family and friends to support your efforts by making a donation. It's easy, and we'll provide you with the tools and resources to do a great job.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society works tirelessly to help find a cure because the need is critical. Nearly 785,829 Americans have leukemia, Hodgkin or non-Hodgkin lymphoma or myeloma. Every five minutes, someone new is diagnosed with blood cancer. Leukemia is the leading cause of disease-related death among children and young adults under age 20.

LLS-funded research has directly contributed to many breakthrough cancer treatments, but there is still work to do. Your help will fund the much-needed research and provide services to patients that are battling these diseases. On behalf of the West Marine employee and customer family, and the volunteers and friends of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, thank you very much for your support.