The Northeast PA Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s 2020 Man & Woman of the Year Winners

Every nine minutes, somebody in the U.S. dies of a blood cancer. In today’s uncertain times, cancer patients need support now, more than ever. A Carbondale woman and a Clarks Summit man have been named the winners of this year’s Northeast PA Man & Woman of the Year of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Eastern Pa Chapter.

The two winners, Matt Beynon of Clarks Summit, and Linda Walsh of Carbondale raised a Northeast Pa record breaking $14,340 and $21,342 respectively, to support LLS’s goal to find cures for blood cancers and ensure that patients have access to lifesaving treatments.

During a spirited 10+ week fundraising period, beginning with a 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.

The Northeast PA campaign kicked off in mid-March with a party at Cooper’s Seafood House in Scranton and within days the state was shut down and all fundraising plans had to be revamped.  The Northeast Pa candidates refused to allow Covid-19 to deter their plans for raising money for blood cancer research and they continually pivoted and adjusted their fundraising plans to a virtual platform.

Candidates and their campaign teams were judged solely on virtual fundraising success this campaign season, 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.

“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 Lauren Iannucci, LLS Eastern Pa Executive Director. “Cancer will not wait for COVID-19 to go away. And blood cancer patients can’t wait either. These exceptional volunteers are all relentless and determined individuals and leaders in their communities. Together, we are getting closer to LLS’s goal of a world without blood cancer.”

Through programs like Man & Woman of the Year, LLS has invested nearly $1.3 billion in research to advance breakthrough therapies. 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) and learn how you can become engaged with LLS.