Leukemia & Lymphoma Society names Man and Woman of Year candidates

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society names Man and Woman of Year candidates
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society names Man and Woman of Year candidates
Candidates for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Man and Woman of the Year (MWOY) campaign are pictured at a recent reception in their honor.

The Southern Florida Chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) has announced that candidates have been selected for the 2013 Man and Woman of the Year campaign in Miami. LLS funds blood cancer research and provides educational and support services for patients and their families.

Approximately 100 people attended the reception honoring the candidates at the Rene Ruiz couture showroom in Coral Gables on Feb. 7.

The Man and Woman of the Year (MWOY) campaign is a 10-week program to raise funds to help find cures for blood cancers. The campaign includes individuals in the community who agree to utilize their leadership abilities and resources to conduct their own fundraising campaigns.

The 12 candidates from Miami selected to compete for the MWOY 2013 campaign are: Man of the Year Candidates:

• Mauricio Barba, Real Estate Broker, ONE Sotheby’s International Realty; • Al Saikali, Partner, Shook Hardy & Bacon;

• Roland Sanchez-Medina Jr., Attorney, SMGQ;

• Alex Mendieta, Senior Financial Consultant, Amtrust Bank;

• Ricardo Taño Feijoó, President, RTF International Business Development Inc.;

• Richard Lara, Partner, Mase Lara Eversole, and

• J.D. Moises, Attorney, Farrell & Patel. Woman of the Year Candidates:

• Alexandra “Alix” Arguelles, Vice President, Online Account Management and Consulting Services, Amadeus;

• Alexis Calleja, Shareholder, Hudson & Calleja LLC;

• Carmen Corvos-Roig, Director, Field Sales, Azamara Club Cruises;

• Chef Adrianne Calvo, Owner, Chef Adrianne’s Vineyard and Wine Bar, and

• Rachael Witte, Marketing Manager, Acceller.

The candidates compete with each other to earn the coveted title of Man and Woman of the Year, respectively. Candidates run in honor of the Boy and Girl of the Year, who are local blood cancer patient survivors and sources of inspiration to others. Candidates are judged solely on their success in raising money, each dollar counting as one vote. Their totals are then considered for the national title. The Miami MWOY Gala featuring all candidates and crowning the Man and Woman of the Year for 2013 is scheduled for Saturday, Apr. 20, 7 p.m., at the Intercontinental Miami Hotel.

The 2013 Miami Boy of the Year is leukemia survivor Ryan Pino. Ryan was only 20 months when he was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia. He was nicknamed “Little Soldier” having fought and screamed his way through every one of the 18 spinal taps, 11 bone marrow punctures, daily blood tests, and 18 medicines a day. Today, Ryan is a happy, healthy, athletic 13-year-old who has been cancer free for over 10 years. His goal is to help children currently undergoing chemotherapy to see that life does get back to normal.

The 2013 Miami Girl of the Year is leukemia survivor Melanie Garcia. Melanie was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia shortly after her 14th birthday. She endured weekly hospital stays, bone marrow tests, blood transfusions, lumbar punctures, numerous cycles of chemo and hair loss. Today, Melanie is a positive and happy 10th grader that prays to remain healthy and cancer free.

“I am a cancer survivor thanks to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s dedication to find a cure,” Melanie said.

The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is the world’s largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research and providing education and patient services.

For more information about the Southern Florida Chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, call 1- 954-744-5313 or visit online at www.lls.org


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