The Forge Hosts Charity Event for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
On Jan. 24, The Southern Florida Chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) named the candidates for Miami’s First Annual Man and Woman of the Year.
Beginning the festivities with a cancer fundraising competition that was held on Jan. 10, and a “Kick-Off” Celebration that was held Jan. 18 at The Forge on South Beach. The ten week competition is held between a pristine group of Miami’s most eligible leaders to see who can raise the most money for the LLS, the largest health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research, educational benefits, and patient services for those suffering from Leukemia and Lymphoma. Whoever ends up with the most dollars earned will be recognized as the First Annual Man and Woman of the year during a gala full of compelling entertainment, live and silent auctions, and a magnificent cocktail reception. Votes have already started flowing as the immense fundraising approaches the end of its efforts along with the naming of the Miami Man and Woman of the Year, at the Grand Finale Gala on March 26 at the InterContinental Hotel in Downtown Miami.
But the competition does not end at the soiree for the two fortunate winners; both of them will then go on to compete in hopes of winning the National titles of Man and Woman of the year, as well as a full page ad in USA Today. But although these terrific benefits and prizes can tempt anyone to go up for the running, the candidates participate in this for the sole reason of helping families with members that are battling cancer, like the families of Victoria Mejia and Alex Aguilera, dubbed Miami’s Boy and Girl of the Year, two children who are both fighting the disease. “The Man & Woman of the Year campaign is a great way for candidates to network with other influential people in their communities while also helping to bring help and hope to thousands of blood cancer patients,” explained Joanne Davis, the Southern Florida Chapter’s executive director. “Candidates get to showcase their fundraising and community outreach skills as well as their humanitarianism.”
The money raised will be dedicated to cancer research, as well as more sufficient cures and therapies, and helpful information for all cancer patients, educating them on the best possible outcome for their condition.
Miami and the LLS are proud to announce that these beneficial local leaders are this year’s candidates for Man and Woman of the Year: Jeffrey Baldasarre, The Betsy Hotel; Jacqueline Becerra, Greenberg Traurig; David Fellows, John Moriarty & Associates of Florida, Inc.; Amber Hendrickson, Saks Fifth Avenue; Jen Klaassens, The Wasie Foundation; Roberto Munoz, Professional Bank; Keith St. Clair, Assist Card; and Kimarie Stratos, Memorial Healthcare System.
To cast your vote for this year’s Man and/or Woman of the Year, or to learn more about the campaign visit, www.lls.org/sfl, or contact the LLS at 954-744-5313 or bich-ly.ludwig@lls.org. We wish all of you the very best of luck!
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