Each year, in communities across the country, dynamic and passionate candidates engage in a spirited fundraising competition to raise critical funds for blood cancer research for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) through the Man & Woman of the Year and Students of the Year campaigns. LLS Savannah celebrated these individuals who will compete to earn the titles of Man, Woman and Students of the Year at the Charles H. Morris Center on Thursday night.

The candidates are high school students, community and business leaders who are philanthropic, ambitious, socially active, resourceful and passionate about making a difference in the lives of people suffering from blood cancers. Their relentless ambition drives them to fundraise with remarkable results. This year's candidate class includes eleven community leaders, as well as fourteen Students of the Year candidate teams. As a class, these candidates aim to raise over $700,000 in ten weeks to fight blood cancer

“The Man & Women of the Year campaign is a great way for candidates to network with other influential people in their communities while also funding life-changing research to benefit thousands of blood cancer patients,” said Jennie Brewster, Area Director for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Georgia Chapter. “Candidates showcase their fundraising and community outreach skills as well as their commitment to the cause.”

The Savannah Man, Woman & Students of the Year campaigns will culminate at the Grand Finale Galas. The Students of the Year scholarship winners will be announced at the Grand Finale Gala at Savannah Station on Friday, April 12, 2019 while the Man & Woman of the Year titleholders will be announced at a Grand Finale Gala on Friday, May 3, 2019 at the Hyatt Regency Savannah. The candidates who raise the most funds will be awarded the Man & Woman of the Year titles.  Sponsors for the 2019 Savannah Man & Woman of the Year campaign include: Certainty Home Loans, Wet Willie’s Management Corporation and Savannah Magazine.

The 2019 Savannah Man & Woman of the Year candidates:

Jarad Brown, Certainty Home Loans

Yash Desai, Stature Investments

Chris Ellison, The Heritage Bank

Comia Flynn, FlynnStyle

Joe Iannacone, Keller Williams Coastal Area Partners

Sarah Lord, Hustle & Blow Dry Bar

Christina McIntosh, McIntosh Realty Team

Miki Skelton, MB Consulting

Chris Smith, 3D Systems

Michael Taylor, Lowcountry Radio Group

2019 Savannah All Star Alumni candidate – competing on a National Level with other Alumni

Will Gruver, JAN-PRO of the SC/GA Coast

2019 Savannah Students of the Year candidates:

The Three MuskeCURES – Delle Smith, Ashley Pankey, Gowan Smith, Savannah Country Day School & Benedictine Military School

Relentless Raiders – Elizabeth Oliver, Samantha Zittrauer, Savannah Christian Preparatory School

Cancer Curesaders – Patricia George, Tennessee Sack, Isabella Martinez, Richmond Hill High School

Team CUREage – Susan Brooks, Ella Alsko, Hilton Head Preparatory School

Cure Warriors – Nia Knight, Woodville Tompkins High School

Team CUREiest Kids – Aneesah Dalal, Richmond Hill High School

Blood Cancer Battlers – Katherine Ezelle, Charlton Strong, Savannah Country Day School

The A Team – Amelia Wylly, Anna Wylly, Savannah Country Day School

Guyton GirLLS – Josie Sapp, Katlyn Davis, South Effingham High School

Summers Kicking Cancer – Bryce Summers, May River High School

Miracle Makers – Alaina Rachlin, Sydney Bacon, St. Andrew’s School

The Dream Team – Sam Yancey, Riley Snipes, Trinity Christian School

Calvary Cancer Crusher – Ryan Anderson, Calvary Day School

Team Titus – Tucker Titus, Calvary Day School