Meet the 2017 Man & Woman of the Year Candidates

PHOTO: NATIONAL PRESS CLUB – ALL CANDIDATES @ KICKOFF

“The Man & Woman of the Year campaign is incredible because it truly demonstrates that a small group of people can make a whole lot of positive change…Everything we did during this campaign gets us one step closer to finding a cure and beating this horrible disease.” Christine Thayer, 2016 Woman of the Year

The Man & Woman of the Year campaign is a spirited fundraising event in which 20-25 men & women set out to raise as much money as they possibly can for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society over a 10-week period. The competition takes place in communities across the U.S. in which participants build fundraising teams to compete for the title of Man or Woman of the Year. The titles are awarded to the man and woman in each community who raises the most funds during the campaign and then the top local fundraisers go on to compete for a chance to win the national title.

The 2017 Washington D.C candidates have set a combined goal of raising $2.5 million. All proceeds benefit LLS’s mission to cure leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma and to improve the quality of lives of patients and their families. Candidates compete in honor of children who are local blood cancer survivors, the Boy & Girl of the Year. The 2017 Boy & Girl of the Year are eleven-year-old Devan & eleven-year-old Susanna, young blood cancer survivors.

The Man & Woman of the Year winners will be announced at the Grand Finale Gala on June 3, 2017 at the Marriott Marquis with dinner, entertainment, dancing, and a fabulous silent auction.

The 2017 campaign co-chairs are Gary DePreta of Simplivity and Jeana Foster of Pivotal Moments.

Gary DePreta of Simplivity Jeana Foster of Pivotal Moments

Meet the MWOY Leadership Team

This year’s fundraising is in honor of two special patient heroes, the 2017 Boy & Girl of the Year: eleven-year-old Devan & eleven-year-old Susanna, young blood cancer survivors.

Meet Girl of the Year – Susanna!

Susanna was diagnosed with pre-B acute lymphoblastic leukemia in July of 2012 at age 7. Susanna stayed in the hospital for a month and had her post-induction bone marrow biopsy on the day she was supposed to start second grade. She made it, however, to the second day of second grade! That’s the kind of girl Susanna is: determined, courageous, magical. Steroids caused this energetic, happy child to move slowly, stooped over; she was bloated, and her expression was flat. She looked like a different child. Today, Susanna is a happy, healthy, magical 11-year-old who loves animals, rides horses, and is in sixth grade!

Meet Boy of the Year – Devan!

When Devan was 20 months old he was diagnosed with high-risk Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia. APML is an uncommon form of leukemia that rarely afflicts children. At Boston Children’s Hospital, Devan presented serious and unexpected side-effects, including one that required brain surgery. After 4 months in the hospital, Devan was transferred to Washington DC, where he began a year of daily chemotherapy, and his family believed he was cured. 2 ½ years later Devan had relapsed. His family returned to Boston for a high-dose chemotherapy to prepare him for a stem cell transplant using his own marrow. Throughout this difficult period, Devan was an extraordinary beacon of sweet cheer and courage, making nurses laugh as he sped around the hospital ward in a ride-on trike. Today, Devan is 11 years old – six years post-transplant, with another clean biopsy notched last month, and thriving.

Quick Facts:

2017 competition will run from March 23 – June 3, 2017. The top male and female fundraiser are named Man & Woman of the Year and continue on to compete for the National title.
The 2017 campaign goal is to reach $2.5 million. The National Capital Area Chapter consistently holds one of the top Man & Woman of the Year campaigns in the country, and since 2000, has placed eleven national winners.
Every dollar raised counts as one vote and the titles are awarded to the man and woman with the most votes at the end of 10 weeks. Top local fundraisers become eligible to win the national titles.

How Candidates Fundraise:

Final candidates are chosen from those nominated, and then form their own teams and use their contacts and creativity to raise funds. Every candidate and each of their team members will get their own personalized fundraising webpage to reach out to friends and contacts. Chapter staff will assist candidates in goal planning and serve as fundraising consultants.
The campaign also includes events and parties that allow candidates to meet their fellow candidates and other local business figures

Grand Finale: The announcement of the Man & Woman of the Year winners is a celebration of all the candidates’ efforts as a collective class. Surrounded by team members and friends, they enjoy food, cocktails, music and an outstanding auction.

How to Purchase Tickets/become a sponsor

Are you interested in getting involved?
Please contact Megan Swahn at Megan.Swahn@lls.org or 703.399.2922 for more information.

MEET THE CANDIDATES:

Bonnie Campagnuolo, Hilton