27 Feb LEUKEMIA & LYMPHOMA SOCIETY (LLS) RAISES MONEY LOCALLY
Southern Delaware is doing their part to raise awareness and funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS)— a national organization with a focus on helping to fund research for blood cancers. This year, the “Man & Woman of the Year” campaign kicks off on March 5th and will last 10 weeks, culminating on May 15th, where the top fundraisers will be named and receive their prestigious titles.
This is the third year that Southern Delaware has had a chapter participating in the national event. Previous teams have really packed a punch with fundraising. Last year’s Woman of the Year, Kelly Munyan, brought in an astonishing $57,770. This year’s roster of candidates in contention for the title (and the most fundraising wherewithal) are:
Jessica Nathan
Jeanine O’Donnell
Sarah Shoemaker
Heather Spencer
Scott Underkoffler
Robbin Thompson
The candidates will form teams and begin their fundraising over the 10-week time period. The philanthropic competition raises money in honor of 2 local children who have survived their battles with blood cancer. This year, our local children are Caleb O’Brien, age 2, and Cece Lewandowski, age 7, who have both bravely fought Leukemia.
Brianna Hancin, Campaign Specialist for the Delaware Chapter of LLS says, “As a blood cancer survivor myself, it truly means so much to see people come together in this community to make a difference. At LLS, we are in the business of creating more survivors in the world and we would not be able to do that if it wasn’t for the support and commitment of the community in campaigns such as Man and Woman of the Year.”
The LLS is doing great work nationwide to help reduce the mortality rate in blood cancers, fund research that leads to better treatments, and to help patients and their families during their most ferocious battle. The organization has had a big impact with getting FDA approval for blood cancer treatments, but they stress that there is always more to be done in the direction of research, treatment, and patient care. Not only is the prevalence of blood cancer diagnosis an alarming 1 diagnosis every 3 minutes, but children who undergo treatment for blood cancers often develop other chronic health issues from the treatments they receive. This makes finding new, cutting edge cancer treatments a paramount goal.
By supporting the upcoming campaign in Southern Delaware, we can make a huge difference in the lives of countless patients. The campaign kick off party will be on March 5th, 2020, at the Fairfield Inn & Suites, at 6pm. As the campaign concludes it will all lead up to a Grande Finale Celebration at The Clubhouse at Baywood on May 15th. At the Grande Finale, the winners will be announced in front of sponsors, candidates, campaign team members, friends, supporters, family, and other LLS supporters.
If you are looking for a place to let your benevolence shine, LLS is the perfect cause with a wide reach. For more information, or to get involved by joining a team or making a donation, please visit https://www.mwoy.org/mwoy-southern-delaware or contact Brianna Hancin at brianna.hancin@lls.org.