Pictured at the Long Branch Light The Night Event held October 4th on the Great Lawn in Long Branch are members of Team Monmouth Medical Center, including, pictured third from left, Long Branch Light The Night Corporate Chair Eric Carney, President and CEO of Monmouth Medical Center and Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus.
Long Branch, N.J., October 13, 2025— Monmouth Medical Center (MMC) was proud to serve as the presenting sponsor of the Long Branch Light The Night Walk held October 4th on the Long Branch beachfront. More than 100 hospital team members gathered at the Great Lawn as Blood Cancer United (BCU, formerly known as The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society) held their annual inspirational evening event.
Collectively, the walk raised over $725,000 to support people living with blood cancer, and MMC was directly responsible for raising over $125,000. Both represent new records for the walk and for the impact of their leading sponsor.
Eric Carney, President and CEO of MMC in Long Branch and Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus (MMCSC) in Lakewood, served as Corporate Walk Chair for the 2025 Long Branch Light the Night Walk, which funds research to find blood cancer cures and brings communities together to celebrate those who are fighting the disease and to honor those we have lost.
“Blood Cancer United’s Light The Night events are celebrations of light, support, and what we can achieve for blood cancer patients together,” said Jana Boyer, Executive Director of BCU’s NJ Region. “Events are held at night, and participants carry lanterns that symbolize community and hope—much-needed sources of support in facing the darkness of a blood cancer diagnosis We are so grateful for the partnership between RWJBH, Monmouth Medical Center, and Blood Cancer United in an effort to raise critical funds and awareness to support blood cancer patients throughout our area.”
Each lantern has a symbolic meaning: white lanterns are carried by survivors and patients, red lanterns are carried by supporters and those committed to finding cures, and gold lanterns are carried in remembrance of loved ones who have passed away. The display of lanterns is a defining feature of Light The Night and is intended to create a visual message of hope, support, and remembrance, according to Carney.
“While the fundraising results are impressive, it was so inspiring to see the lanterns raised by the over 1,500 individuals in attendance,” he said. “Every lantern — whether it was in remembrance of someone we lost, celebrating those who survived or proudly being a supporter of a person with blood cancer, tells a powerful and personal story. What was equally inspirational was the huge show of support we had for our patients, and the physicians, nurses and staff who care for them.”
Light The Night is one of the largest and fastest-growing charity fundraising programs in the nation, according to Carney. He said in the last 30 years, Light The Night participants and volunteers all over the country have raised $1 billion to push forward Blood Cancer United’s mission including right here in our local community, and last year, they awarded over $1 million to 560 patients in need through the LLS financial assistance programs here in Central New Jersey.
“In Long Branch, we are committed to doing our part,” he said. “Every fall, our local Light The Night community comes together to celebrate the strength of our patients and families, and to raise funds for Blood Cancer United. Monmouth Medical Center, together with our Southern Campus hospital, was so proud to join our local community consisting of companies, friends, families, schools, community organizations, sponsors and individuals who are committed to the fight against blood cancers.”
In addition to Carney, Blood Cancer Specialist Dr. Hussam Eltoukhy, who served as a Walk Captain for the Light the Night Long Branch event, also provided remarks at opening ceremony for the Light the Night walk, Dr. Eltoukhy said he has turned to Blood Cancer United for help many times whether it’s for their financial assistance programs, their free, educational booklets that he keeps in his offices, or their trusted website that gives patients reliable information, instead of the confusion they might find on Google.
“This is my first time participating in Light The Night, and I became involved with this effort and I support Blood Cancer United because I have directly seen the tremendous positive impact this organization has on my patients’ lives,” he said. “For me, Light The Night is not just about raising funds — it represents an opportunity to stand in solidarity with my patients, families, and colleagues. I believe that our involvement sends a powerful message of support and unity, helping patients feel less isolated in their fight.”
While Light The Night takes place in cities and towns across the country, the Long Branch walk provided local residents with a chance to participate in this broader movement and to join with others in raising awareness. To support Blood Cancer United or learn more about Light The Night, visit LightTheNight.org.
Kathy Horan
732-546-6317
kathy.horan@rwjbh.org