Looking for a Few Good Men & Women

MWOY Quick Facts:

• Known as one of Washington’s top fundraising events each spring, The Man & Woman of the Year campaign is a spirited 10-week fundraising event in which 25-30 men & women set out to raise as much money as they possibly can for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society over a 10-week period.

• 2017 competition will run from March 23 – June 3, 2017. The top male and female fundraiser are named Man & Woman of the Year and continue on to compete for the National title.

• The 2017 campaign goal is to reach $2.5 million. The National Capital Area Chapter consistently holds one of the top Man & Woman of the Year campaigns in the country, and since 2000, has placed eleven national winners.

• LLS is currently recruiting candidates – Ideal candidates are community and business leaders who are philanthropic, ambitious, socially active, resourceful, goal oriented, and passionate about making a difference in the lives of people suffering from blood cancers. We ask candidates to raise a minimum of $20,000 for LLS’s mission.

• The Reason: Every three minutes, someone in the United States is diagnosed with a blood cancer and every nine minutes someone loses their battle.

MWOY Detail:

• Each year, in communities across the country, dedicated candidates engage in an exciting competition to earn The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) “Man & Woman of the Year” titles. Raising funds for LLS blood cancer research the candidates compete in honor of children who are local blood cancer survivors, the Boy & Girl of the Year.

• Every dollar raised counts as one vote and the titles are awarded to the man and woman with the most votes at the end of 10 weeks. Top local fundraisers become eligible to win the national titles.

• Running as a candidate for Man of the Year was one of the most enriching and humbling experiences of my life. Enriching because it allowed me to reconnect with many friends, old and new, and share my story and reason for raising funds for this worthy cause. And humbling because through these connections, stories and experiences were reciprocated back to me, allowing me to see the full scope of the devastation this disease has caused. – Dr. Brion Randolph

How Candidates Fundraise:

• Final candidates are chosen from those nominated, and then form their own teams and use their contacts and creativity to raise funds. Every candidate and each of their team members will get their own personalized fundraising webpage to reach out to friends and contacts. Chapter staff will assist candidates in goal planning and serve as fundraising consultants.

• The campaign also includes events and parties that allow candidates to meet their fellow candidates and other local business figures.

Events Include:

• Kickoff Celebration: This celebration officially marks the beginning of the fundraising period. It’s a great opportunity for candidates to socialize, network and meet the Boy & Girl of the Year.

• Grand Finale: The announcement of the Man & Woman of the Year winners is a celebration of all the candidates’ efforts as a collective class. Surrounded by team members and friends, they enjoy food, cocktails, music and an outstanding auction.

How to Participate:

• Candidates for Man & Woman of the Year share a compassion for others. They are dynamic individuals who are connected in their communities and relentless in their efforts to raise funds to find cures for blood cancers. Candidates form teams to help their fundraising efforts. Chapter staff will assist candidates in goal planning and serve as fundraising consultants.
• There are many ways people can participate in a Man & Woman of the Year 10-week Campaign. If you’re a person who enjoys competition and considers yourself a “people person,” then Man & Woman of the Year could be the perfect campaign for you. You may nominate yourself, ask someone else to nominate you, or, if this description fits someone you know, you may nominate them.

• Someone from your local chapter will then contact you to discuss your nomination further. It is an honor to be part of this exciting campaign. Many past candidates also say it has been an exceptional personal experience.

All proceeds benefit LLS’s mission to cure leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma and to improve the quality of lives of patients and their families. LLS is the world’s largest national voluntary health organization dedicated to curing blood cancers improving the quality of life of patients.

Interested in being a part of the campaign?
E-mail Lindsey Adkins at  Lindsey.Adkins@lls.org to learn more about the campaign, to discuss being a candidate, or to nominate someone you know.

"Looking for a Few Good Men & Women" was first published on Washingtonian.