Contact: Kristin Hoose
(914) 821-8973
kristin.hoose@lls.org
White Plains, NY (March 16, 2015) - For 10 weeks, in more than 80 cities across the country, 900 dedicated fundraising participants are competing on a local and national level to help the more than one million Americans who are living with or in remission from a blood cancer. Today, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is celebrating its 25th annual "Man & Woman of the Year (MWOY)" fundraising campaign. These influential and compassionate community leaders raise an average of $34,000 to help funds for blood cancer research and cures.
The MWOY campaign raised $30.8 million in 2014, and $152 million since it began. The men and women competing this year will aim to top that total as they vie for the national title of Man and Woman of the Year. Today, the 2015 candidates are featured in an advertisement found in USA Today.
"Unlike many other diseases, there are no means of preventing or screening for blood cancers," states George Omiros, LLS Executive Vice President, Chief Campaign & Field Officer. "Our extensive network of chapters and dedicated volunteers are helping LLS fund research to advance more breakthrough therapies for blood cancer patients. New safe and effective treatments, once unimaginable, are saving lives that would have been lost."
LLS is the world's largest voluntary health agency dedicated to finding cures for leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma and other blood cancers. The MWOY campaign, along with LLS's other national fundraising initiatives - Team In Training, Light The Night Walks, School & Youth Programs and the Leukemia Cup Regatta, have helped LLS invest more than $1 billion in research to advance breakthrough therapies that are saving lives today.
About Man & Woman of the Year
MWOY 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. The goal of the campaign is a world without blood cancers, because everyone wins when cancer loses.
For the second straight year, the "All Star" program will provide an opportunity for select MWOY Alumni to represent their local campaign nationally by using their talents, contacts and creativity to raise funds to help advance the LLS mission. 2015 All Stars come from across the country with representation from every corner of the U.S.
Visit MWOY 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.
Founded in 1949 and headquartered in White Plains, NY, LLS has chapters throughout the United States and Canada. To learn more, visit www.LLS.org. Patients should contact the Information Resource Center at (800) 955-4572, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET.