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.

Meet the 2015 Big D Climb Co-Chair: Loan Huynh

Loan Huynh is co-chairing the 2015 Big D Climb with Julie Westbrook Eisenberg.  Loan wears many hats for the North Texas Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS).  She is a member of the Board of Trustees, a volunteer, advocate and most importantly, a blood cancer survivor.  Meet this dynamic and engaging woman and learn more about what she and Julie have in store for the Big D Climb.

What is your connection to LLS and its mission? 
I am a two-time survivor of acute myelogenous leukemia (AML).  I was originally diagnosed in 2005 when I lived in Chicago.  After treatments and going into remission, I moved down to DFW  where I relapsed 30 months later.  After another bout of treatments and a bone marrow transplant, I wanted to help this cause.  It is because of organizations like LLS, that I am able to be here today.  The research they do to find treatments and someday a cure has impacted me directly.

How many years have you been involved with the Big D Climb & in what capacity?  
I participated in the very first Big D Climb!  For the first year we had a team of 13 close friends and family.  The following year our team grew to about 25 which included several co-workers from Ivie & Associates.  It really surprised us and Warren & Kay Ivie (Ivie & Associates owners) how much this event inspired our associates.  From then on Ivie & Associates have been corporate chairs and sponsor of this great event.  Our team grows every year!  Last year we had over 140 climbers and volunteers!  We expect to exceed that this year!

What are you most excited about for the upcoming Big D Climb?  
I think the excitement is the same every year for me.  It doesn't get old.  It's so cool to see crowds of people gathering to support such an amazing cause!  The event gets bigger and bigger with more sponsors, more activities and this year more stairs.  Yikes!

Why should people get registered for the climb now?  
You should register and start training now!  It's great to get a jump start on the training and fundraising.  You definitely want to get in on early registration to take advantage of the lower registration price.  But you want to register, get your team started and get the excitement going.  We're all there to raise money and awareness for blood cancer research but if you can put on a tu-tu, climb some stairs and have some fun in the mean time, all the better!

Tell us your strategy for conquering a taller climb this year.  
Slow and steady wins the race!  :)

Register today at www.bigdclimb.org

Ivie & Associates 2014 Big D Climb team