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 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 Cohen’s Retreat 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 twelve community leaders, as well as eighteen Students of the Year candidates, who as a team, aim to raise over $600,000 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 providing assistance and hope to 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 Red Gate Farms on Friday, March 23, 2018 while the Man & Woman of the Year titleholders will be announced at a Grand Finale Gala on Friday, April 13, 2018 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 2018 Savannah Man & Woman of the Year campaign include: Wet Willie’s Management Corporation and Savannah Magazine
 
To learn more about the Man & Woman of the Year, visit www.mwoy.org/ga.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is proud to announce the 2018 Savannah Man, Woman & Students of the Year candidates:
 
The 2018 Savannah Man & Woman of the Year candidates:

Kris Allred, WSAV News 3

Adam Blocker, Savannah FixIT

Karen Bogans, International Paper

Pierce Cannon, South State Bank

Deanna Corley, Trace Staffing

Chris Marsengill, Moffatt & Nichol

Sarah Martin, SunTrust

Allison Murray, Northwestern Mutual

Hamilton Pirkle, Listen Clear

Zach Thomas, Bergen & Bergen, P.C.

Rachael Campbell Tortorella, Emily McCarthy Shoppe

Brannon Sulka, eviCore Healthcare
 
2018 Savannah Students of the Year candidates:

Chance McKennie, Woodville-Tompkins Institute

Hannah Wells, Saint Vincent’s Academy

Madison Ripley, South Effingham High School

Noah Maxwell, Richmond Hill High School

Uyen-Vy Hoang, Savannah Country Day School

Zach Clay, Calvary Day School

Taylor Hammerstein, Savannah Christian Preparatory School

Team Gilpin/West – Caroline Gilpin & Emma West, Savannah Country Day School

Team CUREage – Evie Snipes, Holland Traver, Lucas Tomita, Hilton Head Preparatory School

Team Extending Life – Rachel Mascolo & Vikram Manocha, Savannah Country Day School

Team Jewelz – Madison Parrish & Katie Harley, Effingham High School

Team Scott, Darius & Isaiah Scott

The candidates were selected by a nominating committee co-chaired by Emily Dickinson of Wet Willie’s Management Corp. and Will Gruver of Jan-Pro Cleaning Systems.  Other members of the committee include:

Matthew Allen; Moves with A Purpose

Team @ Keller Williams Realty

Charles Anderson; Landsouth Design Studio

Suzanne Anderson; Chatham Hospitalists

Betty Barsic, Saint Vincent’s Academy

Michael Caputo; BankSouth

Patrick Connell; Ellis, Painter, Ratterree and Adams

Ashley Curry, Emily McCarthy Shoppe

Carrie Egerton; Tanger Outlets

Brad Gibson; Capital A Productions

Amelia Harper; TKL Research, Inc.

Alison Harris, Keller Williams Coastal Area Partners

Shannan Hunt; Seabolt Brokers

Lucas Kalvie; Mission Chair

Patrick McCarthy, Rabey Electric

Henry Minis; Honorary Chair

Jessica Neeley, Beach Insurance

Jack O’Neill; Savannah Periodontics

McNab Reeves, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management

Turner Stevens, Savannah Christian Preparatory School

Victoria Ten Broeck, South University

Ruth Weimar, AT&T

Brooks Zeigler, Morris & Templeton Insurance Agency