2010 Man & Woman of the Year Campaign

Campaign 2010

Each year, in communities across the country, dynamic, passionate candidates engage in a spirited ten-week fundraising competition to earn The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's "Man & Woman of the Year" titles, by raising funds for blood cancer research. Our exciting 2011 campaign will Kick-Off  on Thursday, February 17, 2011. The fundraising competition will culminate with a celebration of everyone's efforts at the black-tie Grand Finale Gala on Saturday, April 30, 2011 with dinner, drinks, entertainment and a fabulous live and silent auction. This year Abe Rodriguez of Commerce Bank  and Patricia Voth Blankenship of Folston/Siefkin, LLP, were named The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Man & Woman of the Year. The 2010 candidates collectively raised over $235,000 for blood cancer research and patient services.

 

The Candidates

The ideal candidates are community and business leaders who are philanthropic, ambitious, socially active, resourceful and passionate about making a difference in the lives of people suffering from blood cancers. Their unstoppable ambition drives them to fundraise in a very large-scale capacity with record-breaking results.

 

Honorees

All participants raise funds in honor of the Girl and Boy of the Year.  The 2010 Girl of the Year was Taylor Heersche.  Taylor is 12 years old and was born on July 16, 1997.  Taylor was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Lcukemia (ALL) on May 1, 2008.  She is in remission, but must undergo 2 years of chemotherapy.  Taylor is in 7th grade at Mulvane Middle School.   Taylor's parents are Dan and DeAnne and she has a younger sister, Connor.  The 2010 Boy of the Year was Gentry Brown.   Gentry Brown is 4 years old and was born on August 30, 2005.  Gentry was diagnosed with acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL) on December 4, 2008.  Gentry's parents are Jerry and Karen Brown and he has a younger brother, Brooks. 

 

History

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Man & Woman of the Year campaign began in 1990 in San Francisco to honor John Spencer, a valued employee at Hastings Clothier in San Francisco and a Society volunteer. Spencer died of leukemia at the age of 39. It was in John's memory that Hastings began supporting the Society's Northern California Chapter with the San Francisco Man & Woman of the Year event. Now, more than 40 Man & Woman of the Year campaigns occur across the nation, making this a highly visible fundraising program.

 

The Reason

Although someone new is diagnosed with a blood cancer every four minutes, there is great hope for the future. LLS is the world's largest national voluntary health organization dedicated to curing leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and to improving the quality of life of patients and families.

 

The Other Reason
FUN! Everyone involved with Man & Woman of the Year is surrounded by diverse people, a dedicated staff, and a supportive committee. Additionally, there are a number of fantastic parties, including the Grand Finale Gala event which provides candidates the opportunity to gain new friends and contacts.

 

For More Information

Contact Laura Cook at 316-266-4050 or laura.cook@lls.org  

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Thanks to our 2010 sponsors!

Presenting

Local Updates

Sponsors

Boy & Girl of the Year

Meet the Past Winners

Meet the Candidates