Tanya Urschel, Nonprofit Engagement Manager, PayPal
What is The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society all about?
The (LLS) exists to find cures and ensure access to treatments for blood cancer patients. Every three minutes someone in the U.S. is told they have a blood cancer and despite great progress, more than a third of those patients survive less than five years after diagnosis. LLS is committed to creating a world without blood cancers.
LLS’s Light The Night Walks bring together families and communities to inspire, motivate and take an active role in finding cures. The events honor blood cancer survivors, as well as those lost to the diseases, and “shine a light” on the importance of advancing research and providing support to blood cancer patients.
Friends, families and co-workers form fundraising teams and millions of consumers help by making donations at retail outlets that have volunteered to be our corporate partners. These efforts culminate in memorable evening walks each fall in nearly 200 communities across North America.
What makes your walks unique? Why would someone want to participate?
Light The Night Walks are visually moving events that celebrate and commemorate lives touched by blood cancer. Participants enjoy an evening of fun and inspiration, walking leisurely along a two- to three-mile route in their communities. Participants who raise $100 or more carry illuminated lanterns - white for survivors, red for supporters and gold in memory of loved ones lost to a blood cancer. Light The Night Walks give hope in the dark world of cancer and raise funds to advance the therapies and treatments that save lives.
For those in the areas, our San Jose Light The Night Walk will take place on Saturday, October 18 in Discovery Meadow in downtown San Jose. It is the largest walk in our market and typically raises upwards of $1 Million. Even if you’re unable to attend, we encourage people to learn more about Light The Night and how you can get involved.
What are some of your biggest challenges in getting support?
We have limited dollars to spend on marketing efforts to encourage participation in our Light The Night Walks as well as get the word out about how LLS provides lifesaving research and support for people battling blood cancers. Fortunately, our walks (and other events) are inspiring and motivating experiences and we’ve found that past participants and word of mouth have been crucial for bringing in new sponsors, donors and walkers.
How do you currently use PayPal?
People can donate through PayPal on the LLS or specifically to a Light The Night All of our fundraising campaign platforms, including Team in Training and Man & Woman of the Year, now accept donations through PayPal.
Why do you like using PayPal to collect donations? Do you use it for anything else? Do your customers like using PayPal?
LLS only recently added PayPal as an option (earlier this year) but so far our participants have only given positive feedback. Many of our supporters become repeat donors and we are confident that offering them another familiar and secure method to contribute will only encourage them to keep giving.
How can others get involved in your cause?
Register to participate in a Light The Night walk near you. We have nearly 200 walk sites throughout the U.S. and Canada. Visit to register and learn more. If you can’t walk, you can still make an impact by making a donation should be as simple as possible because we want them to do it again!
Would you recommend PayPal to another nonprofit? Why?
Definitely. Every non-profit wants to encourage donors by making it fast, easy and safe to give. Making a donation should be as simple as possible because we want them to do it again!
What are your social media channels?
LLS: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest
Light The Night: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest