The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Greater Bay Area Chapter launched its 2016 Bay Area Man & Woman of the Year fundraising campaign March 29 at its kickoff party at the University Club of San Francisco. This year, the Bay Area has nine candidates for its campaign that benefits blood cancer research, potential treatments, and cures.
The 2016 Bay Area Man & Woman of the Year candidates are:
- Kaitlin Gallagher, a student at San Francisco State University;
- Maria Krasnov, from Levi Strauss & Co.;
- Marilyn Marquis, from Las Positas College;
- Lauren Rippee, from Bauer’s Intelligent Transportation;
- Ari Kahan, from Goldman Sachs;
- Charles Williams, from KGM1 Radio.
The 2016 Student of the Year candidates are:
- Gianna DeRanieri, from Mercy High School;
- Julia Richardson, from Mills High School;
The All Star candidate is:
- Larry Gerquest, from First Republic Bank.
The Student of the Year and the All Star fundraisers are new additions to the LLS competition. The Student of the Year campaign is a seven-week competition between student pairs and their teams for a $1,000 scholarship to a college or university of their choice. The All Star competition is a nationwide fundraiser where select Man & Woman of the Year alumni represent their local markets and compete against other candidates around the country. The All Star who manages to raise more votes will be nominated National Man & Woman of the Year All Star. The winners will be announced during a celebratory webcast in July.
The Man & Woman of the Year annual campaign is a 10-week fundraising competition between community leaders who unite with one goal in mind: to use their leadership skills to raise money and help blood cancer patients live longer, better, and more fulfilling lives. The nine 2016 candidates will compete in honor of the 2016 Bay Area Boy & Girl of the Year, Preston and Edith – both blood cancer survivors. Each dollar raised counts as one vote and titles are awarded to the man and woman with the most votes at the end of the campaign.
According to a press release, the Grand Finale Celebration on June 4 at the Fairmont San Francisco will mark the end of the Bay Area Man & Woman of the Year campaign. Tickets are now being sold online.
