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Southern Florida Chapter Of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Names Man And Woman Of The Year Raising money is difficult in today’s economic landscape. And, raising money over a ten week competition, against a hand selected group of local leaders has its unique pressures. The Southern Florida Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) announced that it raised a spectacular $378,000 during its ten week fundraising quest to name the LLS Fort Lauderdale Man and Woman of the Year. Vicky Garcia, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Cruise Planners, an American Express Travel Representative, was named 2012 Woman of the Year raising $115,000 and Matthew F. Sacco, Vice President of Communications & Public Affairs for Sunrise Sports & Entertainment, the Florida Panthers Hockey Club and the BankAtlantic Center, was named 2012 Man of the Year raising $125,000 at the LLS 2012 Journey of Hope Gala. The Gala was chaired by Ana Vento, President of Events by Vento Designs, and Michael Romagnolo, Senior Vice President-Investments, The Torrington, Romagnolo & Goldberg Wealth Consulting Group, UBS Financial Services, Inc. The event, emceed by Adam Kuperstein, NBC 6 Anchor, featured a cocktail reception, silent auction, dinner, dancing and the announcement of the winners. “If not for the support of my friends, family and colleagues this amazing honor and recognition would not have been possible,” said Garcia. “For ten weeks we all worked diligently to raise funds for the children and families fighting and surviving blood cancers. I am honored, humbled and forever changed by this incredible experience to impact the lives of those affected by this terrible disease.” Sacco has been involved with LLS
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for the past three years.. “I’m tremendouslyy honored to be named Man of the Year and am thankful to all those who support the fight against blood cancers,” said Sacco. “Being part of this fundraiser was both humbling and an incredibly rewarding ateful to experience and I’m grateful everyone involved in the event.” “Vicky and Matthew truly made this their personal mission,” said Joanne Davis, executive director of the Southern Florida Chapter of LLS. “They passionately believe in our
“They passionately believe in our cause and reached out to everyone they know for their support. It is impossible not to admire them. Thanks to Vicky and Matthew and all of the candidates, LLS raised significant dollars to fund critical research and patient support.” cause and reached out to everyone they know for their support. It is impossible not to admire them. Thanks to Vicky and Matthew and all of the candidates, LLS raised significant dollars to fund critical research and patient support.” The money raised by candidates over a ten week period is used by LLS to fund research seeking cures and better therapies, and to provide information and support so that patients have the best possible outcomes throughout their cancer experience. Garcia and Sacco will now compete for the National Title of
AUGUST 2012 | LIFESTYLEMAGAZINEGROUP.COM
Man & Woman of the Year, an honor surrounded with a great deal of fanfare, including a full-page ad in USA Today, but the most important reason candidates participate is for families like this year’s Boy and Girl of the Year, CJ and Hailey, local children who are survivors of blood cancers and are sources of inspiration to all the candidates competing for this title. In addition to Garcia and Sacco, the other Southern Florida Candidates for Fort Lauderdale’s 2012 Man & Woman of the Year, who did a phenomenal job of raising funds included: Mike Bondurant, City National Bank; Samantha DeBianchi, DeBianchi Real Estate, FIU; Lu-Ann Dominguez, Gunster Law Firm; Jessica Hollander, Berger Singerman; Dr. Brazelia Lazzari, Brazelia Med Spa; Tony Lord, Energy Kitchen; Ninowtzka Mier, Robinson Pecaro & Mier, P.A.; Heather Miller, Broward Health Medical Center; Betsy Millson-Anderson, Chima Brazilian Steakhouse; Peter Moore, Chen Moore and Associates; Ari Roloff, Argy,Wiltse & Robinson P.C. For more information about the Southern Florida Chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, please contact The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society at 954-744-5313 or bich-ly.ludwig@lls.org LP