Louisville Light the Night

Insured Benefit Plans, Kelly Services and Symetra
partner at Light the Night Walk in Louisville

Louisville, KY, on October 4, 2008
It was a near-perfect night in Louisville, KY, on October 4, when three business partners joined with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to “light the night!” A “manifestation of commitment” . . . “inspiration” and “extremely grateful for the outpouring of support” were just a few of the comments about this year’s event at Louisville’s Great Lawn at Waterfront Park.

There are currently more than 780,000 Americans battling leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Light The Night is an annual walk hosted by Leukemia & Lymphoma
Society (LLS) to pay tribute to and bring hope to these thousands of patients and
their families. The walk raises funds for blood cancer research, advocacy, education
and patient services.

Kelly Services Inc., George Lehmann of Insured Benefit Plans & Symetra Financial
These business partners came together to join the effort in Louisville, Ky. The effort arose out of Symetra’s headquarters in Bellevue, WA, but came together as a result
of Lehmann’s insights:

“The event was important to me in at least two aspects. First, I and my family have been affected, firsthand, by the affliction that this organization and events such as Light the Night strive to overcome. Therefore, the effort to raise funds to fight leukemia is personal to me and my family. Light the Night incorporates a continuation and additional opportunity of my ongoing support for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Second, the support from Symetra demonstrates a most welcome and tangible action, not only of solidarity for our mutual partnering relationship, but Symetra's generosity as a solid and caring corporate benefactor. The presence and assistance of Symetra staff were certainly a further manifestation of their commitment and sincerity.”

Jen Pitts, Campaign Manager
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Kentucky & Southern Indiana Chapter
More than 3,000 people attended the event and a total of $320,000 was raised through the Louisville Light the Night Walk for LLS. “It was a great pleasure to work with Symetra employees at our Light The Night Walk,” said Jen Pitts, Campaign Manager The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Kentucky & Southern Indiana Chapter. “Each volunteer was incredibly friendly, attentive, and eager to help in any way possible. We received outstanding feedback from our participants about this group going above and beyond to make the experience easy and memorable. We're extremely grateful for the outpouring of support given to our cause by Symetra and look forward to doing this again!”

It is also noteworthy that the results of research have been positive. Survival rates have improved, new treatments are being developed, and nearly $40 million has been disbursed to patients to help them fight their cancer.

Tim Adkisson and Tracy Wort from Symetra Financial
In addition to providing funding to be a Silver Sponsor of the Louisville LLS Light the Night Walk, Symetra helped organize the entire Insured Benefit Plans-Kelly Services-Symetra Financial team to staff the walker registration booth. Tim Adkisson, Symetra Financial Director, National Accounts, Group Division Worksite Sales, and Tracy Wort, Senior Account Executive, participated in the event.

‘It was incredibly moving to see all of the balloons lit up at the event, gold for loved ones who have passed, white for survivors who are participating and red for people who are participating and/or have raised money for the cause,” said Wort. “As the walkers lined up there was a sea of balloons as the sun set.”

“I am so proud to be a Symetra employee and work as partners on something like this.” — Tracy Wort, Symetra Financial

For more information on how you can help find a cure for leukemia and lymphoma, visit: http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/hm_lls.