San Jose, CA (PRWEB) June 15, 2012
A downtown Campbell woman and a Santa Clara man have been named the winners of this year’s Man & Woman of the Year of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) – Silicon Valley & Monterey Bay Area Chapter.
The two winners were Jerry Nabhan of Santa Clara, CA, and Laura Peterson of Campbell, CA.
During a spirited ten-week fundraising period beginning with a kickoff celebration, the candidates earn their title solely on their success in raising money to help LLS fund research to find cures and better therapies for cancer, and provide information and support to blood cancer patients and their families. Candidates in each chapter vie for the local title, and the highest fundraisers nationally 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.
Jerry Nabhan was born and raised in San Francisco. He started a local telephone company which engineered computerized systems from San Francisco to Palo Alto. He later retired from Pacific Bell to join his wife’s family garbage business where he managed the transfer station for seven years. He later came to Sunnyvale to manage Specialty Solid Waste & Recycling. By utilizing his fundraising abilities, he raised $62, 270 for the Man & Woman of the Year campaign and earned the well-deserved title of Man of the Year.
Laura Peterson is a San Jose native who graduated from UC Santa Barbara in 2001 and launched her State Farm Insurance Agency in Los Gatos a few years later. Outside of running her business, Laura enjoys time with her friends, family, and her newly adopted Rottweiler. She first became involved with LLS in 2008 when she ran the Nike Women’s Marathon and has been an active supporter ever since. Laura was honored to be nominated as a candidate to run for Woman of the Year and by raising $18,967, she won the title.
With the support of their campaign teams and community, all eight candidates collectively raised $165,158 to support blood cancer research and honored patients, including LLS’ Girl & Boy of the Year.
Girl of the Year, Maria Naranjo, was first diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia in April of 2010. After spending 30 days straight in the hospital, Maria was able to go home. She is now in the maintenance stage of her treatment and is continually monitored by her oncologist. She is a beautiful girl with a positive and inspirational spirit.
Boy of the Year, Antonio Lepori, was diagnosed with Stage 4 Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in 2011. Antonio’s parents were then faced with the tough decision of rushing Antonio into treatment knowing how hard the treatment was. After five grueling months in the hospital, the family’s prayers were answered and they were all able to go home. Antonio is now in remission and will be continuing down the road to recovery for the next five years.
“Congratulations to our winners, and to all of our candidates who participated in this year’s campaign,” said Lisa Alejandre, Executive Director for LLS’ Silicon Valley & Monterey Bay Area Chapter. “They are all passionate and determined individuals, and leaders in their communities. Their efforts really go far in bringing help and hope to patients and their families.”
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 and provides free information and support services.
Founded in 1949 and headquartered in White Plains, NY, LLS has chapters throughout the United States and Canada. To learn more, visit http://www.LLS.org or contact the Information Resource Center at (800) 955-4572, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET. http://www.lls.org.
The Silicon Valley and Monterey Bay Area Chapter of LLS provides services to patients and their families throughout the following counties: San Mateo, Santa Clara, San Benito, Monterey and Santa Cruz.
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