Ten Weeks, Two Titles, One Mission

The Suncoast Chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society hosts an annual competition called the Man & Woman of the Year. Each year candidates are nominated to be a part of a 10 week campaign to fundraise for the society. At the end of the campaign one man and one woman are awarded the title of Man & Woman of the Year.

The 10 week campaign for the Suncoast chapter began in mid March and will end in May. The campaign culminates with a huge gala at the T. Pepin Hospitality Centre http://www.tpepinshospitalitycentre.com on Saturday May 22 where the candidates will have one final chance to raise every dollar possible through a silent auction.

The only way to be "crowned" Man or Woman of the Year is to raise the most money. Every dollar raised is considered one "vote". Funds are raised through events the candidates host, ticket sales to the gala, ad sales for the gala program, sponsorships from businesses for the candidates, donations from friends and families and more.

After weeks of raising money, where does the money go? According to the LLS website www.mwoy.org the funds are used for, "lifesaving blood cancer research, financial assistance to cover patient expenses for transportation, medication and testing, free educational materials and events for patients and their families, local programs such as family support groups and first connection, a peer-to-peer counseling program and for comprehensive, personalized assistance through our information resource center."

The campaign is not just held in Florida. It's a national effort by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society to raise these crucial funds for their mission. In 2009 candidates throughout the country raised nearly eight million dollars.

Are you ready to help out? Sponsorships are still available for as little as $250 for a half page program ad for the grand finale. You can choose which candidate you would like your donation to benefit as well. So, who are the candidates for the 2010 year? Here is a list of the candidates and their donation pages:

Cari Burris, Trio Title Group http://sun.mwoy.llsevent.org/CariBurris

Danicet Cura, Cura Law LLC http://sun.mwoy.llsevent.org/DanicetCura

Heidi Damon, Florida Business Interiors http://sun.mwoy.llsevent.org/HeidiDamon

Liane Jamason, Keller Williams http://sun.mwoy.llsevent.org/LianeJamason

Erin Newton, Cabelo Salon, Inc. http://sun.mwoy.llsevent.org/enewtonlymphomasurvivor

Alexa Staats, Westin Hotels & Resorts http://sun.mwoy.llsevent.org/AlexaStaats

Ani Vidal, Kanes Furniture http://sun.mwoy.llsevent.org/AniVidal

Brett Dulaney, ESPN http://sun.mwoy.llsevent.org/BrettDulaney

Doug Hoppe, Seminole Hardrock Hotel and Casino http://sun.mwoy.llsevent.org/DougHoppe

John Lloyd, Gold Quality Professionals http://sun.mwoy.llsevent.org/JohnLloyd

Max Oligario, JP Morgan Chase http://sun.mwoy.llsevent.org/MaxOligario

Justin Trombetto, Everest University Online http://sun.mwoy.llsevent.org/JustinTrombetto

For more information about the Suncoast chapter's Man & Woman of the Year Campaign 2010, please visit http://www.mwoy.org/sun/

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