The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Connecticut Westchester Hudson Valley (CTWHV) chapter honored Spencer Coker of Bank of America Merrill Lynch and Nadine Mentor of Samuel A. Ramirez & Co. with their Man & Woman of the Year Awards on June 17. The LLS Grand Finale Gala, held at the Hilton hotel in Stamford, CT, supported 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.
This year’s event broke local records; attendance exceeded 500 guests and raised over $625,000 for the LLS mission. The event was attended by LLS CEO Dr. Louis DeGennaro and Connecticut State Treasurer Denise Nappier.
The gala honored two local children who are blood cancer survivors: Ross Silverberg, 5 years old, of Scarsdale, New York, an acute lymphoblastic leukemia survivor;
Julianna Vano, 12 years old, of Yorktown Heights, New York, a diffuse large B-cell lymphoma survivor.
“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 Deborah Barker, LLS Executive Director. “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.
Photos by Cheryl Moss
