The sixth annual Savannah Man & Woman of the Year campaign exceeded expectations with 12 dynamic candidates raising $496,130 for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s mission to find a cure for blood cancer and support patients and their families. Zach Thomas of Bergen & Bergen, P.C. was named Man of the Year. He and his team, Zach and the CUREsaders, raised $137,632. Brannon Sulka of eviCore Healthcare was named Woman of the Year. Her team, The Bluffton Crusaders, raised $30,271. The Man of the Year runner-up was Chris Marsengill of Moffatt & Nichol; and the Woman of the Year runner-up was Karen Bogans of International Paper.

“The impact that these passionate and relentless Man & Woman of the Year candidates have made on the fight against cancer is outstanding. While only two people are awarded the titles, we are extremely proud of all of our candidates. Collectively, our Savannah Man & Woman of the Year candidates have raised over $2.4 million in the past six years. We couldn’t be more proud of their accomplishments,” said Jennie Brewster, Area Director for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Georgia Chapter.

Every dollar the candidates raised counted as one “vote” and the candidates with the most votes were awarded the title Man & Woman of the Year. Woman of the Year, Brannon Sulka, and Man of the Year, Zach Thomas, will now be entered into the national competition for Man & Woman of the Year, which will be named in July.  All the candidates competed in honor of LLS’s Boy & Girl of the Year, Nicholas Childers and Alyssa Hughes, local children who are blood cancer survivors and sources of inspiration to others.  

Candidates were selected by a Leadership Team co-chaired by Emily Dickinson of Wet Willie’s Management Corp. and Will Gruver of Jan-Pro Cleaning Services.  “The Man & Woman of the Year campaign is a great opportunity for participants to meet other like-minded professionals raising money for an important cause,” said Will Gruver, Leadership Team Co-Chair.  “We applaud the tireless efforts of these candidates and thank each of them for making such a significant difference in the lives of so many people.”