Local Leukemia and Lymphoma Society begins recruitment for the next West Michigan Man, Woman of the Year

We all know someone who has been diagnosed with cancer. Those words, "You have cancer," are hard to accept and even harder to process and begin to navigate. I remember the exact feeling all too well when I was diagnosed with leukemia almost twenty years ago. I was twenty-five, newly divorced and living in a new city with an eighteen-month-old daughter. "There are only two options. Have a bone marrow transplant or do nothing and live maybe another three years." Not exactly great options.

Today, there are. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is the world's largest voluntary health agency dedicated to blood cancer. The LLS mission?  To 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 (and shares that research in an effort to cure other kinds of cancers) around the world and provides free information and support services. Part of that funding comes in the form of heavy donations raised in a myriad of ways, including The Man and Woman of the Year (MWOY) campaign.

MWOY is a nationwide event, typically with two participatory cities in every state. Detroit has been a part of the campaign since it began, while Grand Rapids made its MWOY debut in 2015 with one simple goal: to raise awareness. In Grand Rapid's inaugural year, four candidates competed and roughly two-hundred people attended the Grand Finale. Two months ago, in May 2018, seven candidates competed during the campaign and celebrated at the Grand Finale in front of over four-hundred people; thus, awareness and participation both continue to increase in the local area. 

Each LLS chapter designates a ten-week period between February and June in which their local campaign will be held. The tentative MWOY campaign dates for 2019 are February 28 - May 9th. Candidates come from diverse backgrounds and experiences, but they also have noteable characteristics in common: They are all compassionate and relentless in their desire to find cures for blood (and other) cancers and are driven to reach their own personal fundraising best. They also tend to be dynamic, outgoing, and well-connected, which helps them in their fundraising campaign. Past candidates, Board Members and the local LLS staff work individually with each candidate and their team members to help guide them throughout the entire process.

Individuals who have participated as candidates in the past echo similar sentiments.

"Life is full of challenges, some difficult and heartbreaking, like a cancer diagnosis, others are exciting, joyful and life giving, like raising money for LLS.  I've experienced both. I highly recommend the fundraising challenge so that soon no one will have the cancer challenge!"  -- Carmen Sans Graciaa

"The fact that someone nominated me to take on this challenge meant that they believed I could do this. I did not! But I surprised myself! How did I do it? I just kept my hatred for cancer front and foremost in my mind. It was the most amazing 10 weeks of my life and I urge you to believe that you, too, can do this!" -- Virginia Sharitz

You do not need to be a cancer survivor to run for Man or Woman of the Year. There are no pre-requisites. Throughout our own life journeys, we have all known someone who has been affected by cancer. This is our collective chance to be a part of something greater than ourselves in an effort to give back - whether in remebrance, celebration, or prevention. We are out to have fun, camaraderie, and a record setting year in Grand Rapids!

If you would like to be considered for the upcoming campaign, simply click on the Nominate a Candidate tab. Self-nominations are welcome. Someone from your local chapter staff in Grand Rapids will get back to you to discuss the nominee's qualifications and more about the campaign. If you're not ready to nominate someone but would like more information, please contact either Lorrie Jaynes at 616.224.6240 or Beth Fisher at 260.341.8919.