The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) 2014 Man & Woman of the
Year Campaign has just kicked off and I am very pleased to be a campaign team
member for my dear friend, Samantha Hale. Being part of this campaign is an
opportunity to help patients and their families in the ongoing fight against
cancer.
The money raised will benefit
the LLS mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and
improve the quality of life for blood cancer patients and their families, as
well as funding scientists to conduct the necessary research to find a
cure.
Sadly, most of us know
someone who has been affected by cancer.
My husband lost his mother, Laura
Harwood, to leukemia in 2006.
I lost my maternal grandfather, Lawrence Anderson, to leukemia in
2001.
Also one of my dear friends, Taylor Peterson, is a survivor of
Hodgkin’s disease.
I have several other
family members who have been affected by other types of cancers as well. Research
funded by the LLS crosses over and helps all forms of cancer. The organization has invested over $814
million dollars towards this effort.
This campaign is also about Patton Jones, Jr.
and Eva Gandhi – LLS’ 2014 Boy &
Girl of the Year. Patton Jones Jr.
was diagnosed with Burkitt’s lymphoma in March 2011 at age three. Recognized as
one of the fastest growing human tumors, Burkitt’s lymphoma is a non-Hodgkin’s
form of lymphoma affecting the patient’s lymphatic system. Now at the age of
five, Patton is happy to be in remission! Patton spends his days at school,
playing with his friends or hanging out with his younger sister, Hallie. He is
a friend of my god-daughter, Addison Hale.
Eva was diagnosed with
Burkitt lymphoma a rare and aggressive form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in
September 2012. Soon after her diagnosis, Eva underwent intensive chemotherapy
for 4 months. After enduring
excruciating chemotherapy Eva is now eleven years old and in remission! She completed her last chemotherapy treatment
in December of 2012.
The campaign dates are February 20th to May
2nd.
Donate online by going to and making your contribution
on my donation page http://www.mwoy.org/pages/sctx/austin14/aharwood
All donations are greatly appreciated and are tax
deductible.
Thank you for joining us in honoring those who have
suffered and continue to suffer from blood cancers.
