Giving Back and Growing Grace: Latham Seeds to raise $75,000 for Cancer Patients
* * For Immediate Release * *
SEPTEMBER 16, 2022
Shannon Latham | 515-371-0450
shannonl@lathamseeds.com
Bonnie Harris | 515-321-5444
bonnieh@lathamseeds.com
Giving Back and Growing Grace: Latham Seeds to raise $75,000 for Cancer Patients
Alexander, Iowa – For the past 75 years, Latham Seeds has served farmers with the latest seed genetics, highest quality products and unparalleled hometown service. But there’s another passion that the company fights hard for too: the treatment and research of cancer.
One in three people are diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, and the disease affects millions of others. The Latham Family is no exception.
So, in celebration of its 75th Anniversary, Latham Seeds is launching a campaign to raise $75,000 for the American Cancer Society – to support the lifesaving research, treatment and care of patients and their families. The organization provides resources for those diagnosed with different types of cancer, as well as promoting awareness for detection and prevention.
“We have been committed to supporting the American Cancer Society for many years because we know first-hand what a gift hope can be,” says John Latham, president of family-owned Latham Seeds. “Each of us has a cancer story – whether it’s one of our family members or friends – and we believe no one should fight alone.”
Latham’s Seeds of HOPE campaign is simple, but earnest. Through its dealer network within six states, Latham will donate proceeds from select hybrids to the American Cancer Society. It’s a three-year initiative that the company has embraced from the inside out: it was the fall of 2009 when Bill Latham was diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML) — and it was a day his sons, John and Chris Latham, will never forget.
“We could see the look on the doctor’s face and knew it was serious,” says Chris, chief financial officer of Latham Seeds. “We didn’t really even know what AML was, but we learned very quickly that Dad’s diagnosis was not good.”
Thanks to medical advancements and a stem cell transplant, Bill Latham’s life was extended for nearly six more years. It was invaluable time that allowed Bill to meet his youngest granddaughter and enjoy time with his five grandchildren while also passing down business advice to his sons, who are now in charge of the third generation of Latham Seeds.
“The extra years we had with our dad were a gift beyond words,” John says. “Our mom is a two-time cancer survivor, so raising money for this cause is truly, very near and dear to our heart.”
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Latham Hi-Tech Seeds is a third-generation, family-owned company that markets hybrid seed corn, soybeans, alfalfa and cover crops under the Latham® brand name across the Upper Midwest. Since 1947, Latham® has stood for the latest genetics and highest quality seed. Committed to helping farmers grow their legacies while keeping rural communities strong, Latham Seeds markets its products through a local farmer-dealer network. More information about Family-Owned and Farm-Proven Latham Seeds and its products is available at www.lathamseeds.com.