STAMFORD, Conn., April 28, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Connecticut Westchester Hudson Valley Chapter has announced the seven candidates who have what it takes to compete in the 2016 Man and Woman of the Year campaign, bringing us one step closer to a world without blood cancers. Year after year individuals take on this challenge, and though only two will win the official title, everyone wins when cancer loses.
(Candidates with MWOY co-chairs, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Executive Director and Girl of the Year): Ronnie Ram--2016 MWOY co-chair & President at Inspira Media, Erika Dimson -2016 MWOY co-chair, 2015 Woman of the Year Winner, Melissa Lonquich- NYC Teacher, Rawn Williams - Managing Director, Jeffries LLC¸ Victoria Landau--Philanthropist, Todd Zavorskas--Team Zombie Leader, Mike Fisher--Senior Managing Director, RIN Capital Group, Jeffrey St. Gelais -CT Teacher, Dennis Chillemi--Executive Director, LLS (middle: Savanna DiFatta, 2016 Girl of the Year, New Rochelle, NY)
(Boy & Girl of the Year with Parents) Juls Barbeau of Sandy Hook, CT--mother of Ryan Costa, Savanna DiFatta, 2016 Girl of the Year of New Rochelle, NY, Jenn DiFatta of New Rochelle, NY--mother of Savanna DiFatta, Ryan Costa, 2016 Boy of the Year of Sandy Hook, CT.
(Candidates with Girl of the Year): Melissa Lonquich- NYC Teacher, Rawn Williams - Managin Director,Jeffries LLC¸ Victoria Landau--Philanthropist, Todd Zavorskas--Team Zombie Leader, Mike Fisher--Senior Managing Director, RIN Capital Group, Jeffrey St. Gelais -CT Teacher, (middle: Savanna DiFatta, 2016 Girl of the Year, New Rochelle, NY)
(Candidates with LLS Executive Director & Senior Campaign Manager) Emily Genzlinger--Senior Campaign Director, LLS, Rawn Williams- Managing Director, Jeffries LLC, Jeffrey St.Gelais--CT Teacher, Todd Zavorskas--Team Zombie Leader, Melissa Lonquich--NYC Teacher, Victoria Landau--Philanthropist, Mike Fisher--Senior Managing Director, RIN Capital Group, Dennis Chillemi--Executive Director, LLS
The chapter has set a goal of raising $700,000 during their 10-week campaign and have a mission of not only raising funds for lifesaving blood cancer research, but also raising awareness for LLS's mission: to cure leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma, and to improve the quality of life for patients and their families. The man and woman who raise the most money will be named as the local Man & Woman of the Year and go on to compete for national honors.
The winners of The Man & Woman of the Year campaign will be announced on June 11, 2016 at our black tie Grand Finale Celebration, at the Hyatt Regency in Old Greenwich, CT. While only two candidates will receive the official titles, each candidate is bringing us closer to finding a cure. The following seven candidates will be recognized at our Grand Finale Celebration:
Man of the Year Candidates
Mike Fisher – Senior Partner, White Rapids Capital
Rawn Williams – Managing Director, Jefferies LLC
Todd Zavorskas– Team Zombie Leader
Jeffrey St.Gelais–Teacher
Woman of the Year
Noreen White – Co-President, Acacia Financial
Melissa Lonquich – Teacher, MS 180, MS 181
Victoria Landau – Philanthropist
"These are all passionate, determined individuals and leaders in their communities", said Dennis Chillemi, Executive Director of LLS's Connecticut Westchester Hudson Valley Chapter. "We are fortunate to have them working on behalf of our organization and the patients we serve."
The candidates compete in honor of The Boy & Girl of the Year, local children who have survived or are still fighting the battle against blood cancers to serve as an inspiration to others. The year, our Boy of the Year is Ryan Costa of Sandy Hook, CT, and our Girl of the Year is Savanna DiFatta of New Rochelle, NY.
For more information, or to purchase event tickets please visit: www.mwoy.org/ctwhv. Tickets are $225 per person, and $2000 for a table of ten. A special thank you to our main media sponsor, Serendipity.
About the Man & Woman of the Year Campaign The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Man & Woman of the Year (MWOY) campaign is a fundraising competition in communities across the United States in which participants vie for the title of Man or Woman of the Year. They raise funds for blood cancer research in honor of local children who are blood cancer survivors, the Boy & Girl of the Year, because everyone wins when cancer loses. The titles are awarded to the men and women in each community who raise the most funds during the 10-week campaign; the top local fundraisers in the country also win the national titles. You can aid in their efforts by donating to or joining their campaigns not someday, but today.
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 and provides free information and support services. To learn more, visit www.lls.org or contact the Information Resource Center at (800) 955-4572, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET.
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