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Light the night

Johnson Controls employees join forces to battle leukemia

Chances are, you or someone you know has been impacted by cancer. Mike Bartschat, group vice president and general manager of purchasing for Johnson Controls Automotive Experience, felt that impact in 2007 when his 11-year-old son, Christoph, was diagnosed with leukemia. While Christoph waged his fight against the disease, Mike and his family waged their own fight against blood cancer by forming a non-profit organization called Christoph’s ALL Stars, which runs a variety of events in their neighborhood to raise money for leukemia research and programs to make patients’ lives more comfortable.

Mike’s family also joined in the Michigan chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Light the Night Walk. Light the Night walks are held once a year during the fall, all across the United States and Canada to raise money for leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma research and patient services. It’s called "Light the Night" because participants carry illuminated balloons -- red for supporters, white for patients and survivors and gold in memory of those who have passed on.

In 2009, the Michigan chapter asked Mike if he would chair the next Light the Night Walk. He agreed and recruited a team of Johnson Controls employees to walk in the event for the first time. He enlisted, as his co-captains, Lisa DeBone and Jessann Norton from human resources at Johnson Controls. It didn't take much to get them involved. "Lisa and I had lost loved ones to the disease," Jessann said. "Mike gave a very moving speech at a communications meeting and we were eager to support a cause we're deeply passionate about."

That year, they signed up nearly 60 walkers who raised more than $3,800. The Johnson Controls Community Relations department also provided a sponsorship donation of $5,000. Nearly 60 walkers joined the team for the 2010 event in September and raised more than $9,900. That, plus the company’s $5,000 sponsorship brought the total to nearly $15,000.

Johnson Controls was recognized for being one of the event's top corporate sponsors. Mike was invited on stage along with his co-captains, Lisa and Jessann, to present a check from the company. Stephanie Holland, campaign manager for the Michigan chapter's Light the Night Walk, said, "We are so grateful for the support from Mike, Lisa, Jessann and all the Johnson Controls employees who participated. The company has been very generous. We realize we're not the only charity they support. So it's very exciting for us to have them on board."

Mike is gratified by his colleagues' support, too, but not surprised. "There’s something special about Johnson Controls in this regard," Mike said. "Our leaders talk all the time about making a difference in our communities, and it rubs off on all of us. We may have a personal motivation, but just being part of Johnson Controls reminds us there are people we can help."

Good news: Christoph, who turned 14 in 2010, has completed his treatments and is cancer-free.

NOTE: This is one in a series of articles about community involvement at Johnson Controls. Future articles will cover how Johnson Controls business leaders as well as employees at all levels are actively involved in charitable and public service organizations and will showcase specific programs supported by Johnson Controls.
LEARN MORE
To find out more about Light the Night and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, visit these Web sites:

www.lightthenight.org
www.lls.org
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