2008 Woman of the Year Campaign for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

I’m excited to be a part of this year’s Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s 2008 Woman of the Year fund raising campaign. I’m elated to receive the nomination and am more than happy to accept this challenge not only in honor of this year’s Boy and Girl of the Year, Conor Minogue and Madison Harper, but also my father, David Self, who passed away December 26, 2000 from Acute Myelodysplastic Leukemia. When he passed, all donations were to go to both LLS as well as Kosair’s Children’s Hospital since he believed strongly both in research and in helping children above all others as well.

The annual Man & Woman of the Year contest is a fun and friendly competition designed to raise resources for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. It is judged solely on a philanthropic basis – the candidate raising the most funds wins. Each dollar contributed during the competition will go toward the mission of The Society: to cure blood cancers and to improve the quality of life of patients and their families.

My father, David, battled a tiring, rare blood disease for nearly 10 years before succumbing to leukemia. He was originally diagnosed with Sideroblastic Anemia from which there are only 10,000 known cases in the world. Little was known about how to treat this disease and eventually, as he was unable to produce red blood cells properly, he developed leukemia. Once he fell ill it was a short 30 days before he passed.

And now, allow Madison and Conor to introduce themselves…

My name is Madison McKenna Harper. I was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia on December 14, 2001. I am now in remission and have been off treatment since February 2004. I am currently in 7^th grade at JTMS. I like to read and play soccer. My message to kids with cancer is to push on. You’ll make it! Never lose hope! My message to the candidates as you are fundraising is to try to imagine if one of your families was diagnosed with blood cancer

My name is Conor Minogue. On December 2, 2003 I was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia when I was 7 years old. My treatment lasted 3 years and 2 months and on January 29, 2008 I celebrated my first year off treatment. I am currently in the 6^th grade at Holy Spirit School and I played football for the first time this past fall. My team won the Toy Bowl! I also play baseball and I am taking bass guitar lessons. I like to read, listen to my ipod and play video games.

 

Please feel free to leave a personal story in the comments below on how Leukemia and Lymphoma may have touched your life. I would love to hear from you.

 

Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Fundraiser – How can you help?

 

I believe increased awareness will ultimately lead to success in curing these devastating diseases. To understand just how little your tax deductible donation can make a huge difference, your gift of:

• $150 will fund one Society researcher for one day
• $500 will help reimburse one family for medical expenses for one year
• $750 will test 10 people as potential bone marrow donors
• $1,000 will supply 10 children with a one month supply of medication

Here’s a list of ways you can contribute:

• Join Bon Vivant Savant, Louisville’s first official Dining & Events Club. 75% of every new membership purchased through May 20, 2008 will go directly to LLS.
• Not ready to be a member, but like the idea? Donate $50 directly to my campaign and you will be added to the members-only BVS Newsletter to keep up with unique events offered. If you join BVS within six months as a full member, that donation will be deducted from the membership cost
• Donate items for the Grand Finale Silent Auction on May 22, 2008
  Items should have a individual or combined value of $150 or more. Leave a comment and I will contact you or send an email to jomisma
  at gmail dot com.
• Attend our outdoor movie event on May 10, details to follow so mark your calendar now
• Donate ‘a date package’ for Date Night or become a candidate for Date Night on May 17, 2008. Details to come.
  A date package can range from cooking in your home for a certain number of guests to tickets to an event around town or a gift
  certificate at a favorite restaurant. Candidates who would like to enter themselves for the auction (singles and couples are eligible) can
  email me as well.
  
• Have a bake sale and donate the proceeds
  
• Donate 15% from a happy hour you hold
• Send this link to your friends encouraging them and letting them know how they can help

Don’t have a lot of time or resources, feel free to make your tax deductible donation directly to my campaign or by mailing to the address listed in the right sidebar on this page. Thank you in advance for your generosity!