SAN DIEGO, CA (March 6, 2013) The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) San Diego/Hawaii chapter kicked off their annual Man & Woman of the Year campaign to raise money for blood cancer research and patient services yesterday evening. The annual campaign nominates local leaders as candidates to compete for the title by raising funds in honor of local survivors, like 2013 Boy of the Year, Alexander Galindo and 2013 Girl of the Year, Jojo Moreira.

Every dollar raised by a candidate counts as one "vote" for their individual campaign. After 10 weeks of fundraising between March 5^th and May 11^th, the male and female candidates with the most "votes" will be awarded the local title of 2013 Man & Woman of the Year. The winners and all the candidates efforts will be revealed and celebrated at the 6^th Annual Grand Finale: Drop the Gala on Saturday, May 11^th at the Omni Hotel in downtown San Diego. Each winner is then entered into the National Man & Woman of the Year competition with other local chapter winners.

LLS utilizes the money raised by candidates to fund research seeking cures and better therapies for blood cancers. Funds also provide information and support for patients to foster the best possible outcomes throughout their cancer experience.

The San Diego/Hawaii Chapter is honored to announce its Candidates for 2013 Man & Woman of the Year: Kay Corden, Kay Corden Skincare; David Gong, SynFast Oil Change; Sarah Kellerhals, UCSD/VA Medical Center; Mickey McBratney, Prudential California Realty; Nancy Morris, Boston Scientific Corporation; David Oates, Stalwart Communications; Steve Scott, Technology Acquisition Group and Leadership Point Radio; Abigail Stephenson, Blanchard, Krasner, & French; Megan Tevrizian, NBC; and Ann Wessling, Competitor Group, Inc.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is proud to put 78% of funds raised directly into mission activities. The San Diego/Hawaii Chapter serves 97% of patients battling leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin?s disease and myeloma in San Diego & Imperial Counties and the state of Hawaii. The San Diego-based chapter, with a satellite office in Honolulu, raises money for research leading to a cure for blood cancers and to enhance the quality of life for local patients through services such as family support groups, educational programs and financial assistance. For more information about The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, visit www.lls.org/sd.

To learn more about the campaign and to cast your VOTE, please visit www.mwoy.org/sd.

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.

####