September is Blood Cancer Awareness Month, a time to recognize the patients, families, researchers, and healthcare professionals working to overcome blood cancers. It is also the month of Challenge Action Day, a nationwide corporate and leadership fundraising mobilization supporting Blood Cancer United‘s Light The Night campaign.
At OriGen Biomedical, this cause is deeply connected to our mission. Every day, we develop and manufacture products that support advanced cell and gene therapies, including CAR T-cell therapies that are transforming outcomes for patients battling leukemia, lymphoma, and other blood cancers. While our work focuses on enabling these groundbreaking treatments, we recognize that innovation alone is not enough. Research must be funded, patients and families need support, and access to care must continue to expand.
That is why OriGen is proud to have three employees serving on the 2026 Austin Light The Night Leadership Committee. As committee members, they are helping plan the event, secure sponsorships, increase community participation, and raise critical funds that support Blood Cancer United’s mission.
Meet Team OriGen’s Leadership Committee Members
Kirsten Krupps – Senior Product Marketing Manager
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For Kirsten, supporting Light The Night is both personal and professional. “As someone who works closely with technologies that support CAR T-cell therapies and other advanced treatments, I see the incredible impact that our products can have on patients and families facing blood cancer,” she shares. Kirsten is inspired by several of Austin’s Honored Heroes, including this year’s Adult Honored Hero, Ashley Evangelista, who previously visited OriGen last year to share her patient story with the company. Her journey, and the journeys of countless others, serve as a powerful reminder of why innovation in advanced therapies matters. |
Carissa Bishop – Regulatory Affairs Project Manager
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For Carissa, the mission hits close to home. Her grandfather, Allen, battled blood cancer and underwent chemotherapy before reaching remission. When his cancer returned, he chose not to undergo treatment again, and his family ultimately lost him in 2006. Today, Carissa works in Regulatory Affairs at OriGen, helping bring products used in advanced cell and gene therapy workflows to market. Through her work, she sees firsthand how scientific innovation can create new treatment options for patients who may not be able or willing to pursue traditional therapies. “Supporting Light The Night allows me to honor my grandfather’s memory while helping move innovation forward for future patients and families.” |
Julia Hall – Sustaining Engineer
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Julia’s passion for the cause is fueled by the impact that research and innovation can have on children like this year’s National Honored Hero, Lennox. As a Sustaining Engineer, Julia understands the importance of ensuring that every product used in advanced therapies meets the highest standards of safety and reliability. Through Light The Night, she is helping raise funds that support the research and clinical advancements that give families hope during their most difficult moments. “Lennox’s story reminds us that every breakthrough matters. Every donation helps bring light to families facing blood cancer.” |
Why We Walk
OriGen’s support of Light The Night goes beyond a single event.
We walk because breakthroughs matter.
We walk because access matters.
We walk because patients and families deserve more time, more treatment options, and more hope.
We walk for families navigating a blood cancer diagnosis.
We walk for children like Lennox.
We walk for researchers, clinicians, and innovators working to advance lifesaving therapies.
We walk for every patient waiting for the next breakthrough.
Help Our Team Reach Their Goals
As members of the 2026 Austin Light The Night Leadership Committee, Kirsten, Carissa, and Julia have each committed to raising $2,500 in support of Blood Cancer United.
We invite our colleagues, industry partners, customers, local businesses, friends, and family members to help them reach their goals.
Your donation helps fund:
- Groundbreaking blood cancer research
- Clinical trials that advance new treatment options
- Patient financial assistance programs
- Advocacy efforts that improve access to care
- Support services for patients and families throughout their cancer journey
For local businesses, supporting Light The Night is an opportunity to invest in lifesaving science while demonstrating meaningful community leadership and social responsibility.
Join Us in Bringing Light to the Darkness
The progress being made in blood cancer treatment today is the result of decades of research, collaboration, and support from people who believe that better outcomes are possible.
Through our work at OriGen Biomedical and our support of Light The Night, we are committed to helping move that progress forward.
Please consider supporting one of our Leadership Committee members by donating to their fundraising pages:
- Kirsten Krupps – Senior Product Marketing Manager
- Carissa Bishop – Regulatory Affairs Project Manager
- Julia Hall – Sustaining Engineer
Together, we can help fund the next breakthrough, support families when they need it most, and bring light to the darkness of blood cancer.
Thank you for supporting Team OriGen and Blood Cancer United’s Light The Night.
