AUSTIN, TX–(Marketwire – October 18, 2010) –  Austaco Ltd, a franchisee of Taco Bell, is proud to announce this year’s fundraising efforts raised a quarter of a million dollars for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Central Texas (LLS). As the Title Sponsor of the LLS Light the Night Walk, Austaco raised funds by selling paper balloons in their Taco Bell locations and through corporate giving.

Taco Bell (Austaco Ltd) celebrated a recent eight week fundraising effort by presenting a check for $250,000 during this year’s Light the Night Walk, held at the Mueller Development in Austin, Texas on October 16th. The walk began at 7:30 pm after participants picked up their illuminated balloons: white for survivors, red for supporters and gold in memory of loved ones lost to cancer.

Twenty five hundred walkers joined in the festivities raising nearly $500,000 for the Light the Night Walk; funds will contribute to lifesaving blood cancer research, financial assistance to cover patient expenses, free educational materials and events for patients and their families and local programs geared towards saving the lives of people with blood cancer.

“The Light the Night Walk means different things to different people wanting to pay tribute and bring hope to those fighting cancer; not only is this a cause close to my own heart, but it’s also a way to support the work of researchers trying to find better therapies and cures for different forms of cancer,” says Dirk Dozier, CEO & President of Austaco. “Our fundraising effort is a great example of how our Central Texas Taco Bell stores give back to the community and raise awareness for blood cancers. Every four minutes someone is diagnosed with leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma and this year over ten thousand Texans will be newly diagnosed with a blood cancer; we are proud to partner with this great organization and raise funds for a necessary cause.”

The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Annual Light the Night Walk brings communities, families and friends together for one night dedicated to bringing help and hope to people battling blood cancers. Each fall, teams of friends, families and co-workers gather around the nation to fund the critical dollars and services that are needed for the 900,000 people across America who are dealing with blood cancers. For more information about The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Central Texas Chapter, please visit www.lightthenight.org/ctx or call 512.491.6610.

Austaco, Ltd, founded in 1968, is a franchisee of Taco Bell and is owned by Dirk and Katie Dozier. With over 75 Taco Bells throughout the Central Texas region, Austaco is committed to their motto: ‘Here to Serve,’ by operating on the principles of hospitality, quality, service and cleanliness and by taking care of their employees, customers and community. For store locations, menus and more, visit www.austaco.com.