Fourteen local leaders who have been actively outdueling each other in their support of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society are officially in consideration for top honors as the 2011 Man and Woman of the Year. A complimentary kickoff celebration saluting this year’s candidates will be held on Monday, March 28 at the Hyatt Regency Pier 66 in Fort Lauderdale.
Attending the pre-event party are the following leaders:
Jami Appel, teacher
Steven Belcher, Belcher & Company
Marc Caputo, 22squared Marketing
Dion Cassata, attorney, Cassata & Hanson, P.L.
Derek Fertig, Gold Star Inc.
John Janho, Posh Lounge
Christina Kalin, attorney, Colodny, Fass, Talenfeld, Karlinsky & Abate, P.A.
Blaire Kapson, workforce management consultant, ADP
Blake Lyon, owner, Mimosa Boutique
Brad Minto, partner, Performance Audio/Video, Inc.
Alan Murphy Jr., Pioneer Linens
Christine Pallesen, Dale Carnegie
David Schlegel, Allied Marine
Ana Vento, Events by Vento Designs
One man and one woman, based on their fundraising efforts, will be singled out at the Journey of Hope Gala, a black-tie gala event set for Friday, June 3, 2011 at the Hyatt Regency Pier 66 in Fort Lauderdale. The selection of the 2011 Man and Woman of the Year comes down to dollars — for every dollar raised, one “vote” is counted. Once local awards are bestowed, our newly crowned Man and Woman will then compete for the national title. All funds raised by the 14 local leaders are being done in honor of the 2011 Girl & Boy of the Year — nine-year-old Leukemia survivor Abigail Grace Qahhat and 11-year-old Leukemia survivor Eumon Roach (short biographies appear on page 3). Funds raised by Man & Woman of the Year participants 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 Comprehensive, personalized assistance through our Information Resource Center In addition to dinner and dancing, the Journey of Hope Gala, set for June 3, 2011, includes a cocktail reception, and both live and silent auctions. A limited number of entrance tickets are available at $150 each; a table of ten can be reserved for $1,500.
For more information about the 2011 Journey of Hope Gala, contact Bich-ly Ludwig at 954-744- 5313 or via e-mail at bich-ly.ludwig@lls.org.
What is Man & Woman of the Year? Each year in communities across the country, dynamic, passionate candidates engage in a spirited competition to earn The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Man & Woman of the Year titles by raising funds for blood cancer research. Candidates compete in honor of children who are local blood cancer survivors, the Boy & Girl of the Year. Titles are awarded to the man and woman with the most votes at the end of 10 weeks. Man & Woman candidates are goal-oriented and compassionate. Their relentless efforts are focused on making life better for hundreds of thousands of patients battling blood cancers.
2011 Girl of the Year Abigail Grace Qahhat, 9, Leukemia Survivor Abigail loves doing all things little girls enjoy. She adores actress Ashley Tisdale, playing with her 90-plus Barbie dolls, listening to music, and hanging out with her BFF Nicole. She’s an animal lover and adores her cat Alley. Abigail was diagnosed in April 2007 with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). The first 8 months included weekly visits to the hospital for chemotherapy, which was given to her through a port in her leg or as a spinal tap. Abigail’s treatment protocol has ended; she is now in remission. Abigail still needs a blood count test every two months, but her family is grateful for the research and support The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society has provided.
2011 Boy of the Year Eumon Roach, 11, Leukemia Survivor Three years ago, an eight-year-old boy named Eumon began to rapidly lose weight. He had night sweats and a lack of appetite. On August 30, 2008, Eumon was admitted into the Pediatric ICU at Broward General Hospital and was diagnosed with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML). Eumon was given chemotherapy through a port in his side, in addition to blood transfusions. Eumon stayed positive and became the family’s source of strength. “Don’t worry, don’t cry, ‘cause everything is good with me, I will be OK,” he ensured. Eumon remains in treatment, and additional blood work will decide if he needs a bone marrow transfer. He goes to school and lives life to the fullest, with swimming, pick-up basketball games with his older brother Jabri and travel all possible thanks to the treatment options made possible through the support of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.