Washington, DC -- The National Capital Area Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is pleased to announced the 20 candidates that will compete in an exciting 10-week fundraising challenge to earn the title of 2010 Man and Woman of the Year.

The candidates have set the goal of raising $920,000 for lifesaving cancer research while also raising awareness for LLS's mission: to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. This year's fundraising is in honor of two special patient heroes, the 2010 Boy & Girl of the Year: Andrew Luckabaugh and Skyler Hundley

The campaign kicked off on April 8 at District nightclub in Adams Morgan and ends at the black-tie Grand Finale Gala at the Ritz-Carlton in Washington, DC on June 12. The man and woman who raise the most money are named the local Man and Woman of the Year at the June 12 event and go on to compete for the national titles.

"We can't wait to see these dynamic candidates in action," says Donna McKelvey, Executive Director of the National Capital Area Chapter of LLS. "For 10 weeks, the candidates and their campaign teams will organize community events and do all they can to motivate their networks to raise funds for our shared goal of helping our patients and their families."

Returning sponsors include: Presenting Sponsor, Accenture, Media Sponsor, Washingtonian Magazine, and Jewel in a Box Sponsor, Adeler Jewelers. Also returning are the campaign?s co-chair's Allison Gurnitz of Coray Gurnitz Consulting and Ken Dineen of Accenture. The campaign's honorary co-chairs and emcees are Alison Starling of ABC7 and Brian Egan.

Since 2001, the National Capital Area Chapter has had seven national winners. The chapter has also been the #1 revenue-generating chapter in the nation for the Man & Woman of the Year campaign since 2002.

The 2010 roster of candidates span the DC area geographically and professionally, but share one thing: a commitment to raise funds for the blood cancer research and patient services.

The 2010 candidates are:

Jason Clauson, Accenture
Mark Cohen, Cohen & Burnett, P.C. and Navigator Wealth Management
Ria Freydberg, Restaurant 3
Sean Geiger, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney
Kelly Greene, BGR Group, LLC
Mathew Hebert, E Lund Events
Tina Jeon, Yale University
Tami E Johnson, The Marketing Showcase, LLC
Brian Leigh, Lockheed Martin
Mary McLaughlin, Christopher Newport University
Aura Novak, National Geospatial Intelligence Agency
Lisa Pagano, Washington Nationals Baseball Club
Alisha Poland, Infinity Technology, LLC
Ricardo Reinoso, International Monetary Fund
Jordan Rosenblatt, Hard Rock Cafe
Katie Rost, Click Model Management
Jared Salvetti, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney
Kaitlin Sighinolifi, Living Proof
Nicole Siobal, Weber Shandwick
Allyson Spring, EMC Federal Systems

For more information, contact Brooke.Stratford@LLS.org at 703-399-2903 or visit www.mwoy.org/nca

Man & Woman of the Year Campaign Announces 2010 Candidates

DC- Area Candidates Gear Up for Exciting Ten-Week Fundraising Competition

 Alexandria, VA -- The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society?s (LLS) National Capital Area Chapter welcomed 17 candidates and a 2010 goal of $920,000 at a cocktail party held at Restaurant 3 in Arlington, VA on Tuesday, January 26, for its 2010 Man & Woman of the Year Campaign.

Candidates will spend ten weeks between April 8 and June 12 raising money and awareness for and about blood cancers, the leading disease killer of Americans under 20. The male and female candidate who raises the most money will win the title and go on to compete for national honors.  Since 2001, the National Capital Area Chapter has had seven national winners and has also been named the #1 revenue-generating chapter in the nation for this particular campaign since 2002. 

Money raised benefits the LLS's mission to cure blood cancers and improve the quality of life for patients and their families.  This year's fundraising is in honor of the 2010 Boy and Girl of the Year, Skyler Hundley and Andrew Luckabaugh, two local children who have battled blood cancers and serve as sources of inspiration and motivation for the candidates.

"With this outstanding selection of dynamic candidates and sponsors, this campaign can really make a difference in the lives of our patients and their families," says Donna McKelvey, Executive Director of the chapter. 

McKelvey adds that the campaign's supporters include media sponsor, Washingtonian Magazine, and Jewel in the Box sponsor, Adler Jewelers. ?We have a very ambitious fundraising goal, and our corporate sponsors are key to this campaign's success.?

Although the candidates will not be officially announced until the formal kickoff party to be held on April 8, the following individuals in attendance on Tuesday evening have already committed to joining this years campaign: Allyson Spring, Lisa Pagano, Ria Freydberg, Tami E. Johnson, Mathew Hebert, Alisha Poland, Mary McLaughlin, Mark Cohen, Tina Jeon, Katie Rost, Jordan Rosenblatt, Brian Leigh, Ricardo Reinoso, Jared Salvetti, Sean Geiger, Kelly Greene and Kaitlin Sighinolifi.

In 2009, 21 candidates collectively raised more than $910,000, setting a new record for both the chapter and LLS overall.  Last year's local Woman of the Year Ari Jones raised more than $139,000 and went on to become the National Woman of the Year. Last year?s local Man of the Year Hap Peden raised $98,000 and was recognized as the National 2nd Runner Up.

LLS is looking to round out its team to reach its goal of 20 candidates, and nominations are still being accepted.  For more information, contact Brooke Stratford at 703-399-2900 or visit www.mwoy.org/nca.