Light the Night Walk

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Scranton volunteer hosted Light the Night Walk will be held on September 25 at Nay Aug Park. Register now to bring light to the darkness. Scan the QR code below or go to www.lightthenight.org to register.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Light The Night Walk funds treatments that are saving the lives of patients today. LLS is making cures happen by providing patient support services, advocating for lifesaving treatments and pioneering the most promising cancer research anywhere.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Announces Northeast PA 2021 Man & Woman of the Year Winners

A local man and woman have been named the winners of this year’s Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Northeast PA Man & Woman of the Year.

The two winners, Frank Ruggiero of Greenfield Township and Kristen Schoemig of Albrightsville, raised $76,515 and $13,984 respectively to support LLS’s goal to find cures for blood cancers and ensure that patients have access to lifesaving treatments. The entire candidate class raised a record breaking $175,493 for blood cancer research. 

During a spirited 10 week fundraising period beginning with a virtual kickoff celebration, candidates across the country competed in honor of a local boy or girl who is a blood cancer survivor to raise the most funds to ensure a world without blood cancers. 

Candidates and their campaign teams were judged solely on fundraising success, each dollar counting as one vote. Their totals are then considered for the national title. Candidates in each LLS chapter across the country vie for the local title, and the highest fundraisers earn the title of National Man & Woman of the Year. The national titles will be awarded to the top fundraisers in the country, to be announced this summer. 

This year is the third year for this campaign in Northeast PA and 6 men and 3 women stepped up to the challenge to raise money for blood cancer research. This year’s class of candidates set a goal of raising $100,000 and a personal mission of not only raising funds to help create a world without blood cancers, but also raising awareness for LLS’s goal to cure blood cancers and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.

“Congratulations to our winners, and to all of our candidates and campaign team members who participated in this year’s Man & Woman of the Year campaign,” said Megan Galko,  Campaign Development Manager of the Man and Woman of the Year campaign. “These exceptional volunteers are all passionate and determined individuals, and leaders in their communities. Together, we are getting closer to LLS’s goal of a world without blood cancer.” 

LLS is the world’s leading non-profit voluntary health organization dedicated to finding cures for blood cancers and ensuring that patients have access to lifesaving treatments. Every nine minutes someone in the U.S. dies of a blood cancer. Through programs like Man & Woman of the Year, LLS has invested more than $1.2 billion in research to advance breakthrough therapies. In 2017 alone, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved 18 therapies to treat patients with blood cancers, including some entirely new agents and some new uses for already approved drugs. The funds raised through LLS’s Man & Woman of the Year are used for:

  • Research to advance targeted therapies and immunotherapies that are saving thousands of lives;
  • Blood cancer information, education and support for patients;
  • Policies that ensure patients have access to blood cancer treatments.

Visit the Man & Woman of the Year website (www.mwoy.org) or email Megan.Galko@lls.org to learn how you can become engaged with LLS.

About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society® (LLS) is the world’s largest voluntary health agency dedicated to blood cancer. The LLS mission: 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 around the world, provides free information and support services, and is the voice for all blood cancer patients seeking access to quality, affordable, coordinated care.

Founded in 1949 and headquartered in Rye Brook, NY, LLS has chapters throughout the United States and Canada. To learn more, visit www.LLS.org. Patients should contact the Information Resource Center at (800) 955-4572, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET.

For additional information visit lls.org/lls-newsnetwork. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Man and Woman of the Year Campaign in Northeast PA

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Man and Woman of the Year campaign in Northeast PA is slated to kick off on March 16, 2021 and we are looking for YOU! Are you looking to join an organization and make a HUGE impact in the fight against cancer? Why not be a candidate for the Man and Woman of the Year Campaign?

What is Man & Woman of the Year?

Each year, in communities across the country, dynamic, passionate candidates engage in a spirited competition to earn The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s “Man & Woman of the Year” titles by raising funds for blood cancer research. The candidates compete in honor of children who are local blood cancer survivors, the Boy & Girl of the Year. Every dollar counts as one vote, and the titles are awarded to the man and woman with the most votes at the end of ten weeks. The top local fundraisers in the country win the national titles.

To date, these dedicated leaders have helped LLS invest almost $1 billion in research to advance the LLS mission. In 2020, 800 candidates from across the country collectively raised 50 million.

Man & Woman candidates are goal-orientated and compassionate. Their relentless efforts help us in pursuit of our goal: a world without blood cancer.

The funds raised through Man & Woman of the Year are used in many ways:

  • LLS offers free blood cancer information, education and support.
  • Help patients, survivors, families and healthcare professionals.
  • Touch patients in communities through the 60 Chapters across the U.S. and Canada.
  • Drive policies that accelerate the development and approval of new treatments.
  • Advocate for blood cancer survivors and their families, helping patients navigate their cancer treatments and ensuring they have access to quality, affordable and coordinated care.

How to Participate

If you know someone you think would be an ideal candidate you may nominate them and/or become part of their campaign team. Or, you may want to find out more about becoming a candidate yourself. In any case, you should contact Megan Galko, Campaign Development Manager – Man & Woman of the Year, at 570-751-6281 or megan.galko@lls.org to discuss the nomination further. If you’re a born leader, ask about being part of Leadership Committee. If you prefer to have your company associated with this prestigious campaign, find out about becoming a corporate sponsor. Any way you to choose to participate in this high-profile campaign, you’ll be helping people with blood cancers live better, long lives.