How to Support Man & Woman of the Year Candidates

The Dallas and Fort Worth Man & Woman of the Year campaign is in full swing!  Are you looking to find ways to support the candidates and their fundraising efforts?  You've come to the right place. 

 Below is a full list of the events the candidates have organized to benefit their fundraising efforts. 

Shop for a Cause at St. John
Hosted by: Dean Driver, Dallas

Highland Park Village

Wednesday, May 3rd

6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
10% of proceeds will benefit LLS

Private Cooking Class with Wine & Chocolate Pairing
Featuring chefs: Jon Bonnell and Kevin Wenzel
Hosted by: Sheila Jackson, Fort Worth
Central Market – Fort Worth
Wednesday, May 3rd
6:30-9:00 pm
4651 West Freeway, Fort Worth, TX 76107
RSVP: Online

Celebrity Bartending Event
Hosted by: Michael Crain, Fort Worth
GRACE
Thursday, May 4th
5:00 p.m. -7:00 p.m.
777 Main Street, Fort Worth, TX 76102

Shop for a Cause with Christian Louboutin

Hosted by: Kimberly Alexander, Dallas

Highland Park Village

Thursday, May 4th

6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

RSVP: J.Hudson@us.christianlouboutin.com

10% of proceeds will benefit LLS

Shop for Mom at Feathers
Hosted by: Sheila Jackson, Fort Worth
Feathers
2621 Whitmore Street, Fort Worth, TX 76107
Thursday, May 11th
10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Portion of proceeds will benefit LLS

Sip and Shop at J. McLaughlin

Hosted by: Sheila Jackson, Fort Worth

J. McLaughlin

Thursday, May 11^th

10:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m.

1612 S. University Drive, Fort Worth, TX 76107

15% of proceeds will benefit LLS

Gogo in a Tutu
Hosted by: Dr. Ken Heym, Fort Worth

ZYN22
Friday, May 12th
6:30 p.m.
3236 W. 7th St.  Fort Worth, TX
100% of class fee will benefit LLS

Kendra Gives Back Party
Hosted by: Darryl Ferguson, Dallas
Kendra Scott at Watters Creek
Monday, May 15th
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
20% of proceeds will benefit LLS

NEW!
Shop for a Cause
Hosted by: Dean Driver, Dallas
Hublot Dallas Boutique
8687 N. Central Expressway, Ste. 1332
Thursday, May 18th
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
10% of proceeds will benefit LLS

Celebrity Bartending Event
Hosted by: Sheila Jackson, Fort Worth
GRACE
Thursday, May 18th
5:00 p.m. -7:00 p.m.
777 Main Street, Fort Worth, TX 76102 

Painting With a Twist
Hosted by: Laura Norton, Dallas
Painting With a Twist, Lewisville

Sunday, May 21st
3:00 p.m - 5:00 p.m.
RSVP: Online

NEW!
One Drop of Love
Hosted by: Daryl Wallace, Dallas
Perry's Steak House & Grill
2000 McKinney Ave.

Monday, May 22nd
6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
RSVP: pdg1294@gmail.com

An Evening with Rolando Diaz
Hosted by: Rolando Diaz, Dallas
South Side on Lamar

Thursday, May 25th

6:30 p.m.
RSVP: roe41@hotmail.com

Fort Worth MWOY Grand Finale Gala
Hosted by: The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Fort Worth Convention Center
Saturday, May 20th
6:00 p.m. - 11:30 p.m.
RSVP: Brian.Brooks@lls.org

NEW!
We Got the Jazz & the BBQ
Hosted by: Dr. Larry Anderson
Mayfaire Turtle Creek Sky Club
Tuesday, May 30th
6:30 p.m.

NEW!
An Evening with Rolando Diaz
Hosted by: Mr. & Mrs. Bill Taylor
Ritz Carlton Hotel
Sunday, June 4th
6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Dallas MWOY Grand Finale Gala

Hosted by: The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Ritz Carlton Hotel
Saturday, June 17th
6:00 p.m. - 11:30 p.m.
RSVP: Emile.Blaine@lls.org

If you would like to learn more about any of these events, please contact Emile Blaine at Emile.Blaine@lls.org or (972) 996-5932.

Best of luck to all of the candidates!

Meet the Fort Worth Boy & Girl of the Year

The Fort Worth Man & Woman of the Year campaign is off to a strong start.  The six candidates are raising funds in honor of Katie Thomson and Jaden Lowery, our Boy and Girl of the Year.  The Boy & Girl of the Year are local blood cancer survivors who represent thousands of children and adults who are fighting blood cancers every day. 

Meet Katie Thomson

On January 24, 2015, when she was 10 years old, Katherine (Katie) was diagnosed with High Risk B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. When her cancer did not go into remission after the first round of chemo, Katie’s diagnosis was changed from “High Risk” to “Very High Risk”. With the new diagnosis came a new treatment plan, and Katie learned that she would need to receive a bone marrow transplant. Katie spent 10 weeks on the hematology/oncology floor at Cook Children’s and another 4 weeks in the Bone Marrow Unit. She received her transplant on April 22, 2015 and is doing very well! She enjoys all types of art projects, dancing, spending time with family and cuddling with her dog, Dolly.

Meet Jaden Lowery

Jaden, is a courageous 7 year old that fought cancer like a warrior! Jaden was 6 years old, and five weeks into his first grade year at a new school, when he was diagnosed with B Cell Lymphoma. Everywhere he goes, he somehow manages to touch the heart of others. He adores his little sister, Cameron (1 year old), and thrives to teach her everything he knows. Today, he has monthly doctor visits consisting of blood draws and physical exams by his hematologist. He still enjoys church, karate, soccer, and going to school. His favorite subject is math. Jaden wants to be a surgeon when he grows up to help other children. Jaden's parents say that they are extremely blessed and extremely thankful for the wonderful physicians and staff at Cooks Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth Texas.

* * * *

The Fort Worth MWOY campaign is running alongside the Dallas MWOY campaign.  The Grand Finale Gala will be help on Saturday , May 20th at the Fort Worth Convention Center in the main ballroom. Tickets are now available for purchase.

We wish all of the candidates the best of luck!

www.mwoy.org/ntx 

Dallas Man & Woman of the Year Campaign Kicks Off

Last night at the Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse seven well-known Dallas business and community leaders kicked off the 3rd Annual Dallas Man & Woman of the Year (MWOY) campaign. The event, which is a signature campaign of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is a ten week fundraising blitz among business and civic leaders in the Dallas community.  Each candidate competes for donations and the candidate with the most is revealed during the Grand Finale Gala and named the Man and the Woman of the Year.  The candidates and their campaign teams launched their 10-week fundraising blitz yesterday. 

The 2017 candidates represent a diverse group of industries and connections to the LLS mission.

Nicole Barrett

Nicole Barrett Radio Show, iHeart Radio

Rolando Diaz

Artist

Dean Driver
Allen Dean Home

Darryl Ferguson
Zebra Technologies

Kay Hammond
Dave Perry Miller Real Estate

Amy Hampton
Sociologie Wines

Laura Norton
Educator

The MWOY of the year candidates are raising money in honor of the Boy and Girl of the Year, Jude Cobler and Chloe Brown.

The campaign will end with the Grand Finale Gala on Saturday, June 17th at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Dallas. The Dallas MWOY campaign will run in addition to the Fort Worth campaign.  2017 marks the third year Dallas has hosted this campaign.  During its brief history, the Dallas MWOY campaign has raised more than $900,000.

We wish all of the candidates the best of luck!

www.mwoy.org/ntx

Fort Worth Kicks Off Its Inaugural Man & Woman of the Year Campaign

Six well-known Fort Worth business and community leaders are kicking off the inaugural Man & Woman of the Year (MWOY) campaign tonight.  The event, which is a signature campaign of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), is a ten week fundraising blitz among business and civic leaders in the Fort Worth community.  Each candidate competes for donations and the candidate with the most is revealed during the Grand Finale Gala and named the Man and the Woman of the Year.  The candidates and their campaign teams will launch the 10-week fundraising blitz at Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steak House on Thursday, March 9th at 5:00 p.m.  

The 2017 candidates represent a diverse group of industries and connections to the LLS mission.

Michael Crain

Briggs Freemen, Agent

Britton Douglas

Trinity Infrastructure Associate Counsel

Dr. Ken Heym

Cook Children’s Hospital, Medical Director, Oncology Program

Sheila Jackson

Principle Transport Group & JA Jackson Construction, CEO

Amy Novacek

Philanthropist

Erin Wilde

92.1 HANK FM, DJ

Gina Cook, General Manager for Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steak House in Dallas, resides with her husband, Doug Cook, in Fort Worth, and is the chair of the inaugural event.  She was a 2015 Woman of the Year candidate in Dallas.

The candidates will be raising money in honor of two young Fort Worth Honored Heroes.  Jaden Lowry is the Boy of the Year and Katie Thomson is the Girl of the Year.  Both are currently in the maintenance phase of their treatment regimen for acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL).  ALL is the number one cancer killer of children under 18 years old.  

The campaign will begin and end with two elegant events: the kickoff celebration on Thursday, March 9th at Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steak House, and the Grand Finale Gala, which will be held on Saturday, May 20th at the Fort Worth Convention Center in the main ballroom. 

The Fort Worth MWOY campaign will run in addition to the Dallas campaign.  2017 marks the third year Dallas has hosted this campaign.  During its brief history, the Dallas MWOY campaign has raised more than $900,000.  

We wish all of the candidates the best of luck!

Meet Jessica Buckman

The North Texas Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is thrilled to introduce its newest addition to the Special Events department.  Meet Jessica Buckman.  She is joining LLS as a campaign specialist and will be working out of the Dallas office.  Jessica will be working on the Big D Climb event as well as the Man Woman of the Year Campaign. Read below as this dynamic woman introduces herself.

"I am so excited to be a new member of the LLS North Texas family! It has always been my dream to work for a cancer research non- profit in their special events department and I can’t believe my dream has finally come true!

As a native of Dallas, I first fell in love with serving others during a semester long service project for a local elementary school my senior year at Bishop Lynch High School.  I continued this experience by dedicating my college spring breaks to week long service trips. These trips allowed me to impact lives in Louisiana, by helping with Hurricane Katrina relief, and in Mississippi, where I volunteered at an early Head Start Program.

I graduated from Texas A&M University back in 2014 where I received a Bachelor of Arts in Communications. After I graduated, I moved to Austin, TX where I worked for a non-profit named Phoenix Arising, that taught after school and summer STEM classes to underprivileged youth in Travis County.

Two years later I am back in Dallas and I am so excited to see what lies ahead with LLS!”

We are happy to have Jessica as part of the North Texas LLS family.  Reach out and introduce yourself.  She can be contacted at Jessica.Buckman@lls.org or (972) 996-5929.  

Kim Alexander: MWOY Reflections

The 2016 Man & Woman of the Year (MWOY) had another incredible year of fundraising and raising awareness of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in North Texas.  Dr. Brian Berryman was named the Man of the Year after he raised $100,128.50 and Loan Huynh was named Woman of the Year after she raised $69,134.15.  The eight MWOY candidates raised $422,493.59 during the ten-week campaign.

MWOY Chair Kim Alexander reflects on the campaign and looks ahead to the future of the campaign in North Texas.

Describe what the 10 week campaign was like for the North Texas candidates.
I think it's safe to say the actual 10 weeks of campaigning, for the candidates, was a whirlwind!  It goes by fast!  It takes a lot of teamwork to make a big impact.  By the end of the campaign they have a whole new appreciation for the people who get onboard to support their efforts.

What is your takeaway as the event chair?
My takeaway as the event chair is that anyone who steps up to the plate to compete for this honor is simply remarkable.  Whether they are a blood cancer survivor themselves, the family member of someone diagnosed with a blood cancer or someone who supports the cause, this is a great way to get involved.  I'm proud to be associated with the candidates!

What do you think the candidates did that made it such a successful campaign?
I think what helped make the campaign a success is the fact that the candidates heard the MWOY committee when we said to plan ahead so they could hit the ground running on the actual day that fundraising began.  They were taking advantage of every fundraising moment, including events the week of the Grand Finale.  That's impressive!

If somebody is on the fence about nominating a friend, what would you tell them?
If they're going to nominate a friend, also be on board to help them.  Candidates need the support of others to be most successful.  Even if it comes in the simplest form, like saying, "Hey you're doing a great job, keep going!"  It helps and it's a rewarding event to be a part of in any fashion.

If you are interested in learning more about the campaign or would like to nominate a candidate, please visit www.mwoy.org/ntx.  Stand by for several exciting announcements about the 2017 MWOY campaign.

MWOY Candidate: Leigh Costa

Leigh Costa is one of the dynamic 2016 North Texas Man & Woman of the Year candidates.  She first learned about blood cancers when a close friend was diagnosed.  Below she answers several questions about her connection to blood cancers and her decision to run for NTX Woman of the Year.

Name: Leigh Costa

Occupation: 
Own and operate Costa Sports Marketing; a full service advertising and sports marketing agency

Connection to Blood Cancers: 
In 2012 I swabbed to enter the national registry (Be the Match) after my friend Jacque was diagnosed with AML. In late 2013 I was notified that I was a perfect match for a 49 year-old male who I had never met and knew nothing about. I immediately flew to Denver to do further testing with the transplant specialists and after being cleared by the doctors, underwent a peripheral blood stem cell transplant (PBSC) in February of 2014.

Why do you support LLS: 
I anxiously awaited the one-year mark after my donation when I would hopefully have the opportunity to meet my recipient. After all this was someone who now had my blood type, ailments, allergies…all the good AND bad…and while I would do it all over again no questions asked, I flew across the country, spent 10 hours not moving in a hospital bed with my mom holding my hair back while I got violently ill repeated times, and had become a human pin cushion for the two months leading up to the transplant. Needless to say, even though I had never met this man I undoubtedly felt a strong connection to him.


Unfortunately I received a phone call exactly one year later with the news that he had passed away. I remember not being able to speak and tears immediately filling my eyes as they told me his family was grateful they had received more time with him than previously expected. That was great that he got some extra time, and I was glad to be able to provide them that, but I was absolutely CRUSHED. I realized if I was so affected and never even knew this man, how the family and friends of all those diagnosed and battling must feel.


The GREAT news is that my friend Jacque received a transplant from a donor in Germany and she is healthy, strong and here with us today because of evolving research and treatment. She recently got to go to Germany to meet her donor and his family and thank him in person for what he had done.

Through my journey I got the chance to see first hand the strides we’ve made in research and treatment save a friend's life. Sadly, I also experienced devastation and the reality that we still haven’t found a cure, and I will continue to support LLS in honor of my recipient and all the others who have lost their battle with blood cancers until we do!


Campaign Strategy: 
Spread awareness and educate the general public on how much progress we’ve made and continue to make toward ending blood cancers with their support. I also highly encourage those that cannot financially support the cause at this time to at least take two seconds to swab their cheek and enter the national registry as they too could one day get the opportunity to save a life.

Where can people follow your campaign during the 10-weeks: check out my website at www.costasportsmktg.com and campaign photos/updates on social media sites Twitter (@costasportsmktg) and Facebook.

The North Texas Man & Woman of the Year campaign wraps up with a black tie Grand Finale Gala on Saturday, June 18th.  Reserve your table today.

MWOY Candidate: George Meza

George Meza, a blood cancer survivor and member of the North Texas Board of Trustees, is currently fundraising as a candidate of the Man & Woman of the Year (MWOY) campaign.  Read below as he introduces himself and why he is so passionate about this campaign.

"I have been supporting The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) since 2006.  My support started by participating in the Society's Team in Training sports endurance program.  Over 10 years I have completed approximately (10) 100 Mile Cycling events, (5) Triathlons (4) Marathons all the while raising over $60,000 for the LLS mission of finding a cure for blood cancers.  Over the last 3 years I have also served on The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Board of Trustees. 

In 2009 I was diagnosed with Follicular B Cell Lymphoma a non-curable blood cancer.  Click on THIS VIDEO  to learn about my cancer journey and how it has enriched my life.   Learn more about me and my fundraising efforts on my MWOY fundraising page."

The North Texas Man & Woman of the Year campaign wraps up with a black tie Grand Finale Gala on Saturday, June 18th.  Reserve your table today.

MWOY: Kimberly Alexander Reflects at the Campaign's Midpoint

2016 North Texas Man & Woman of the Year (MWOY) Chair Kimberly Alexander has been a driving force in the recruitment of the 2016 MWOY candidates and the success of this campaign.  Today marks the midpoint of the campaign and Kimberly stopped to reflect on what brought her to this event and what she expects to see in the final five weeks.

Tell us your connection to the North Texas Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS).  

I lost my husband Elijah to multiple myeloma in 2010.  I began to attend and support local LLS events a few years later and then was asked to join the North Texas Board of Trustees.  It was a natural progression and made sense because I was committed to remaining active in the cancer community through various activities in memory of him.

Why did you decide to chair the North Texas Man & Woman of the Year campaign this year? 
I'd always said I wanted a more involved role in at least one LLS fundraising event, but I wanted it to be the right event.  When it was announced that the North Texas Chapter was adding the MWOY campaign, the significance of it meant a lot to me.  With it being the LLS's highest honor (being named the National Man or Woman of the Year), I wanted to be a part of making it successful and seeing it grow.  I enjoyed being on the host committee for the inaugural event last year and I'm excited to be chairing this year.

Tell us about your personal connection to one of the candidates this year.  
I have personal connections to several of the candidates, but the one closest to me is my brother-in-law, Shannon Ridley.  He's my late husband's younger brother and I've known him since he was 16 years old.  Elijah loved him so much and I'm so excited that he's gotten involved with this cause as a way to honor Elijah too.  I have to stay neutral though.  I'm super excited about all of the candidates because every dollar they raise will support blood cancer research and ultimately I'd love it if it lead to a cure for multiple myeloma.

What impresses you most about the current group of MWOY candidates?  
What impresses me the most is the diversity of the group.  I think it says a lot about blood cancer actually, it's an equal opportunity offender and the candidates reflect people who have touched by it enough to commit to making a difference.


What advice would you give candidates during the final five weeks of this campaign?  
Keep spreading the word!  Continue drumming up support because every dollar raised is not only a vote, but an additional dollar towards research, all the way up to the grand finale on June 18th!  While the title is the ultimate goal, their involvement alone is helping cancer patients and families, and that within itself makes them a winner.

The North Texas Man & Woman of the Year campaign wraps up on Saturday, June 18th with a black tie Grand Finale Gala.  Support the local candidates by purchasing a ticket to the upcoming gala here.s 

MWOY Candidate: Loan Huynh

Loan Huynh, a two-time leukemia survivor and member of the North Texas Board of Trustees, is currently fundraising as a candidate of the Man & Woman of the Year (MWOY) campaign.  She has been involved with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) for a number of years as the Big D Climb co-chair and patient access volunteer.  Below she talks about how you can support her MWOY fundraising efforts.

"As a two-time blood cancer survivor, I know firsthand the benefit of research around this often deadly disease and am grateful to be LIVING proof that the research funded by LLS is working!  

For the last eight years, I have dedicated myself to working to help fund the research of the best and brightest blood cancer researchers around the world.  As an AML survivor, I see the investment LLS is making into defeating this incredibly deadly disease through their Beat AML initiative and am honored to be able to contribute to the effort to cure the disease that tried to take my life ...twice!

Want to help me?  It's easy and delicious!  Meet me at Twisted Root Burger Company at the Shops at Legacy in Plano, TX on Saturday, June 10th between 5:00 - 10:00 p.m. and 10% of all food purchased during that time will benefit my fundraising efforts.  Mention LLS at checkout and your meal will not only go towards my MWOY fundraising efforts but towards funding much needed cures for blood cancers.

Learn more about me and this event on my MWOY fundraising page.  I hope to see you, your friends and family at Twisted Root on June 4th.  Just think - for just one day, one delicious cheeseburger at a time, we can help support people fighting cancer!"

The North Texas Man & Woman of the Year campaign wraps up with a black tie Grand Finale Gala on Saturday, June 18th.  Reserve your table today.

North Texas Man & Woman of the Year: Meet the Candidates

The 2016 MWOY candidates at kickoff.
(L-R) Michael Leyton, Amanda Whitelaw, George Meza,
Loan Huynh, Shannon Ridley, Leigh Costa, Dr. Brian Berryman
(missing: Jeanne Buck)

North Texas Man & Woman of the Year Chair Kim Alexander introduced the 2016 candidates at Sambuca during the official MWOY kickoff on April 12th.  We are pleased to introduce you to this group of dynamic and driven candidates who will spend the next nine weeks campaigning on behalf of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.  

Dr. Brian Berryman  

Dr. Berryman is the attending physician for the Blood and Marrow Transplantation Services at Baylor University Medical Center and is the Medical Director of the Blood and Marrow Transplantation Services at Medical City Hospital Dallas. He also serves as a member of the North Texas Medical Advisory Board.

Michael Leyton

Michael is the owner of his own business, MLeyton Co and works as a freelance marketing specialist in the Dallas area. Michael and his sister are both blood cancer survivors.

George Meza  

George is a senior manager at Accenture and a survivor of follicular B Cell lymphoma. He is also a longtime cycle coach for LLS’s Team In Training Program and a member of the North Texas Board of Trustees.

Shannon Ridley

Shannon is an Account Executive with Amazon Web Services and is running in memory of his brother who fought and lost his battle against multiple myeloma.

Jeanne Buck

Jeanne works for Takeda Pharmaceuticals which produces multiple blood cancer related drugs, including drugs specifically geared towards multiple myeloma. Jeanne is participating in honor of her brother who is a lymphoma survivor. 

Leigh Costa  

Leigh owns her own sports marketing firm, Costa Sports Marketing, and donated her bone marrow back in 2014 to help a patient battling leukemia.

Loan Huynh. 

Loan is an account manager for Imagine! Print Solutions and is a two-time leukemia survivor.  She serves on the North Texas Board of Trustees.

Amanda Whitelaw

Meet Woman of the Year candidate, Amanda Whitelaw.   Amanda serves as Vice President of New Business Development at United Way of Metropolitan Dallas and is running in honor of anyone currently feeling the negative impact of a cancer diagnosis.

MWOY Boy of the Year: Brian Shaw

The 2016 North Texas Man & Woman of the Year (MWOY) campaign will kickoff in 4 days.  As the candidates gear up for the ten-week fundraising competition, the focus turns to the North Texas Boy of the Year.  Brian Shaw will serve as inspiration for the nine candidates raising money for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) during the campaign.

Brian's parents suspected something with wrong with their energetic, happy, intelligent and compassionate four-year-old when he started acting differently.  Their doctor determined he had acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), the most common type of cancer in children under 18, and started his grueling treatment immediately.  Now three and a half years later, Brian is in the final six months of his treatment regimen and the treatment's side effects are starting to wane so he can get back to doing what he enjoys most - going to school, painting and participating in anything competitive.  

One mantra has guided Brian and his family during the whole treatment process: turn bad luck into something good.  The Shaws have used this saying as a rallying cry and have been very involved in sharing Brian's story, fundraising for LLS through various campaigns and advocating for the advancement of better research.  They know that although Brian responded well to treatment, there is still much work to be done.

The North Texas Chapter is honored to have Brian serve as the Boy of the Year and know that he will inspire the 2016 MWOY candidates to do great things. 

The MWOY kickoff is scheduled for Thursday, April 12th at Sambuca in Uptown Dallas.  Visit mwoy.org/ntx to learn more about the campaign and its candidates.

MWOY Girl of the Year: Sadie Keller

The 2016 North Texas Man & Woman of the Year (MWOY) campaign will kickoff in 7 days.  As the candidates gear up for the ten-week fundraising competition, the focus turns to the North Texas Girl of the Year.  Sadie Keller will serve as inspiration for the nine candidates raising money for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) during the campaign.

Being an inspiration for others is not new to 8-year-old Sadie.  She is currently in treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and is using her cancer experience to help other children undergoing a similar treatment regimen.  It started when she took an iPad into a closet at home and started recording herself giving advice to other children going through treatment.  Hair loss, coping with chemotherapy, ports, understanding the next steps, what it is like to have cancer as a kid - she covers it all from her perspective and posts them on YouTube.  Sadie's family didn't realize what she was doing until she asked for help posting them online.  Her videos have hit a chord with viewers, many have been watched several thousand times.

While Sadie is in the maintenance phase of her treatment and out of the hospital, she hasn't lost track of what it felt like to be stuck inside and away from friends and family.  Last December she put together "Sadie's Sleigh" and collected more than 1,300 toys to donate to children who spent the holidays in the hospital.  Her success caught the attention of the Today Show as they chronicled the successes of this young North Texas girl with a heart of gold.

The North Texas Chapter is honored to have Sadie serve as the Girl of the Year and know that she will inspire the 2016 MWOY candidates to do great things.

The MWOY kickoff is scheduled for Thursday, April 12th at Sambuca in Uptown Dallas.  Visit mwoy.org/ntx to learn more about the campaign and its candidates.

Woman of the Year Candidate: Kim Carter

Kim Carter is a candidate for the inaugural Woman of the Year candidates for the North Texas Chapter and is a longtime supporter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS).  She was instrumental in implementing a multi-year partnership between the Big D Climb and her former employer, 24 Hour Fitness.  Kim's motivation to raise money for LLS is very personal.  Read below to learn the source of her motivation and her plans for her Woman of the Year campaign. 

Name:
Kim Carter

Occupation:
Vice President, Sales and Operations for The Dean's List

Connection to Blood Cancers:
My journey to support blood cancer research began in October 2003 when my mother, Johanna Elizabeth Carter, lost her battle with leukemia.  (Watch Kim's moving video about her mother by clicking here.)  I vowed then to support blood cancer research and have continued in the following years to support an organization in Indianapolis that provided free housing for families while cancer patients were receiving treatment.  Over a three year period, starting in 2010, I engaged my employer, 24 Hour Fitness, to become a corporate sponsor of the Big D Climb.

Campaign Strategy:
I plan to document my journey via social media and share my mom's story with everyone I come in contact with during this 10 week campaign.  To kick it off, I created this video that talks about my mother and our family's experience during her leukemia battle.

Upcoming Fundraising Event:
I will be hosting a wine tasting event on May 28th and the proceeds will go towards my fundraising efforts.  You can learn more about this event on my fundraising page.

Why Should You Be the Woman of the Year in North Texas:
I have been supported and participated on behalf of LLS since 2003 via various fundraising activities.  In addition, I have encouraged everyone I know to participate in raising funds and awareness for research.

Where Can People Follow You:
1. My campaign website: http://www.mwoy.org/pages/ntx/dfw15/kcarter
2. Join me in my Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Challenge by posting who and why you chose to donate on your Facebook page.  Tag me in your post via my MWOY fundraising page.

You can purchase tickets or tables to the Man and Woman of the Year Grand Finale on Saturday, May 30th at www.mwoy.org/ntx and find out who wins in person!

Man of the Year Candidate: Keith Pearson

Meet Keith Pearson.  Keith is a longtime supporter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, a member of the North Texas Board of Trustees and now a candidate in the inaugural Man of the Year campaign.  Below he talks about what initially brought him to LLS and what he has planned to raise the most money during this 10-week fundraising blitz.

Name:
Keith D. Pearson

Occupation:
CEO of a Retained Executive Search Firm and Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees for the North Texas Chapter of LLS.

Connection to blood cancers:
 I have a personal connection, since my wife’s late grandmother was a victim, and a close family friend also died from it. His father passed away a short time later, from what I believe was a broken heart. Personally seeing and feeling the horrific effects of these diseases really left a strong impression on me, and I wanted to help support finding a cure. - See more at: http://www.pearsonpartnersintl.com/keith-pearson-lls/#sthash.bgMjbTup.dpuf

Why do you support LLS:
After the loss of my friend to the leukemia, I decided to join Team in Training and enter the Oklahoma City marathon. Team in Training helps you to organize your campaign and solicit donations to the Society from your network. In turn they provide training, travel costs, race entry fees and a race day jersey, which I am wearing in the picture above as I crossed the finish line. I’ve been an avid runner since the mid-1990s. I ran the NYC marathon in 1997 and 1999 and have completed several marathons and ultrathons  since then. For years I had wanted to do one through Team in Training so all of my hard work would benefit others as well as myself.  One night I went to Central Market to learn about the Team in Training opportunity and sign up. The next morning, I had a previously scheduled breakfast with a friend who turned out to be a board member of LLS. He asked me if I’d consider serving on the board. This was shortly after the passing of my friend and his father. It seemed to me to be a sign, and that the timing was right.  I currently serve as the Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees for the North Texas Chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Campaign Strategy:
My campaign strategy is to reach out to my network of friends, clients and candidates and share my story.  My network of friends has followed me through a number of campaigns for LLS and my personal obsession with ultrathons.

Upcoming Fundraising Events to Benefit Your Campaign:
I am not hosting an event but if you would like to support my campaign you could buy a table, a ticket or sponsor package and join us at the Grand Finale Gala at the Westin Galleria Hotel on May 30^th. 

Why Should you be the Man of the Year in North Texas:
It would be a tremendous honor to be the inaugural North Texas LLS Man of the Year.  Since this is first year to have the Man and Woman of the Year event in Dallas we all want to make a major impression nationally.

Where can people follow your success/events during this 10 week campaign:
  http://www.mwoy.org/pages/ntx/dfw15/kpearson

Man of the Year Candidate: Stuart Boslow

Meet Stuart Boslow.  He is one of the inaugural Man of the Year candidates in North Texas.  He has jump-started his fundraising efforts in this 10-week fundraising blitz by planning a big blowout at The Rustic on April 9th.  Read below to learn about why Stuart is so passionate about The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, his upcoming concert and where you can track what else he's doing to raise money.

Name:

Stuart Boslow

Occupation:

Television Executive

Connection to blood cancers:

My partner, Jason, found a lump under his arm in April 2009 and thought nothing of it because he felt fine and was living a healthy, active life.  We watched and waited about a month until he made an appointment to see the doctor and was diagnosed with Stage IV Burkitt’s lymphoma, a very aggressive form of Hodgkin’s lymphoma.  One year to the day after his diagnosis, Jason passed away on May 28, 2008.  I was 29 years old.  Most of my friends were getting married and having kids and I was dealing with the loss of my loved one.  The experience of being a caregiver changed my life.  I felt completely helpless – I didn’t know what to do, I felt alone without resources geared towards what I was experiencing, and wanted to fight the disease for Jason.  After he passed away I dedicated myself not only to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society because of the resources it provides to patients but also caregivers.

Why do you support LLS:

Because of the courage of Jason in his battle with blood cancer, I wanted to continue that fighting spirit and help others who continue to fight this disease.  For the last six years I have raised money through “Team Jason” for the Light The Night Walk and have raised more than $50,000 with the support of my family and friends.  I know Jason would be proud to know that his legacy is helping other patients who are currently battling a blood cancer.

Campaign Strategy:

I’m hoping to pull out all the stops in a no-holds-barred concert at The Rustic and utilize my friends and family to get a really great group of people together to help me honor Jason’s legacy while listening to great 80s music and raising money in his honor.

Upcoming Fundraising Events to Benefit Your Campaign:

#TBT to the 80’s Concert at The Rustic featuring The Molly Ringwalds, Thurs, Apr 9th - tickets at bit.ly/LLStbt80s

Why Should You be the Man of the Year in North Texas:

My dedication to this cause will continue whether or not I’m crowned ‘Man of the Year’. To me, this is just one more way to support an incredible organization that does amazing things with the money it receives.

Where can people follow your success/events during the campaign:

Twitter (@StewieB) and Instagram (@StewieB80)

Introducing Man Woman of the Year

Click here to watch the video.

The North Texas Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is proud to introduce a new signature campaign this Spring: the Man and Woman of the Year (MWOY).  Nominated candidates vie for the title of Man or Woman of the Year during a ten-week fundraising blitz.  The candidates compete both for their personal Honored Heroes but also in honor of two local children who are blood cancer survivors.  These children are named the Boy and Girl of the Year.

Each MWOY candidate forms a fundraising committee that will help them during the ten week fundraising campaign.  It is up to the candidate to form the committee based on their needs.  In other chapters, many candidates create a campaign chair position, a publicity position, an outreach position and others that will help elevate their campaign and create fundraising opportunities about their groups of friends, business partners and acquaintances.

The MWOY campaign starts with a kick-off party where all of the candidates and their campaign teams come together and celebrate the start of this incredible experience.  They will break off and work independently until the midpoint party when the candidates and their teams will regroup.  The 10 week campaign culminates in an exciting gala where candidates can submit silent auction items and the proceeds benefit their fundraising efforts.  That night North Texas Man and Woman of the Year will be announced to much fanfare.

The top local fundraisers in North Texas will then be submitted to a national MWOY campaign where they will compete against the winning candidates from LLS chapters across the country.  The top candidates will then be named the National Man and Woman of the Year and their pictures will appear in a full page ad in USA Today.

Learn more about the North Texas Man and Woman of the Year at www.mwoy.org/ntx

There are already a number of candidates who have committed to participating the in the inaugural MWOY campaign and we look forward to introducing you to them over the next several months.  Check back to meet the 2015 class!