The adage says, “It’s not the titles that honor men, but the men who honor titles.” This could not be more accurate for the 900 men and women across the United States vying to win The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) coveted title, Man & Woman of the Year (MWOY), conferred at the conclusion of this annual campaign. For 10 weeks, in 80 communities across the country, dedicated candidates engage in an exciting competition to raise the most funds for blood cancer research and earn LLS’s “Man & Woman of the Year” titles.
To provide inspiration and motivation during their campaign, the candidates compete in honor of children who are local blood cancer survivors, also known as the “Boy & Girl of the Year.”
MWOY has raised hundreds of millions of dollars in its 27-year history to help LLS fund research to find cures and ensure blood cancer patients have access to treatments.
So what does it take to be a Man or Woman of the Year? According to LLS executive vice president and chief product officer, Andrew Coccari, “Man & Woman of the Year candidates share a competitive spirit and compassion for others. They’re unstoppable in their desire to find cures for blood cancers and are driven to reach their own personal fundraising best. They tend to be dynamic, outgoing and well-connected. They’re not only competing for the title, they’re competing to beat blood cancer.”
The 2017 exceptional volunteer leaders are featured in an advertisement today, found in USA Today.
LLS is the world’s leading non-profit voluntary health organization dedicated to finding cures for blood cancers and ensuring that patients have access to lifesaving treatments. Every nine minutes someone in the U.S. dies of a blood cancer. Through programs like Man & Woman of the Year, LLS has invested more than $1 billion in research to advance breakthrough therapies. The funds raised through LLS’s Man & Woman of the Year are used for:
- Research to advance targeted therapies and immunotherapies that are saving thousands of lives;
- Blood cancer information, education and support for patients;
- Policies that ensure patients have access to blood cancer treatments.
“Each year, we are ever more inspired by the passion and relentless dedication of the Man and Woman of the Year candidates, and the army of volunteers across the country who support their campaigns. These special people give so much of themselves in their efforts to raise funds to support LLS’s mission,” said Louis J. DeGennaro, Ph.D., LLS president and chief executive officer. “For these influential individuals, it’s not just about the title, it’s all about the impact they are making in their communities for LLS.”
About Man & Woman of the Year
Man & Woman of the Year candidates across the country compete in honor of a local boy and girl who are blood cancer survivors, to raise the most funds for blood cancer research. Every dollar counts as one vote, and the titles are awarded to the man and woman with the most votes at the end of the campaign. The top local fundraisers in the country win the national titles.
Past participants will show their star power by competing again in The Man & Woman competition as “All Stars.” The “All Star” program will provide an opportunity for select Man & Woman of the Year alumni to represent their local campaign nationally by using their talents, contacts and creativity to raise funds to help advance LLS’s goal of creating a world without blood cancer. This year’s 19 “All Stars” come from across the country with representation from every corner of the U.S.
Visit the Man & Woman of the Year website (www.mwoy.org) to support a candidate and learn how you can become engaged with LLS.
About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society ® (LLS) is the world’s largest voluntary health agency dedicated to blood cancer. The LLS mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research around the world, provides free information and support services, and is the voice for all blood cancer patients seeking access to quality, affordable, coordinated care.
