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. The individuals who raise the most funds during the campaigns for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) earn the titles of Man, Woman and Students of the Year. The seven and ten-week campaigns were extended by five weeks this year due to COVID-19. While the Grand Finales will look a little different this year, there is still much to be celebrated.

These high school students, community and business leaders have remained positive throughout the campaign, looking for creative ways to make a difference in the lives of people suffering from blood cancers. Their relentless ambition drove them to fundraise with remarkable results. This year's candidate class includes fourteen community leaders, as well as eighteen Students of the Year candidate teams, comprised of 42 students from eleven schools. 

For more information, contact Jennie Brewster at (912) 436-3273 or visit https://www.mwoy.org/georgia/mwoy-savannah-0 or https://studentsoftheyear.org/students-year-savannah-0

What: The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Man, Woman & Students of the Year Virtual Grand Finale Celebrations

When: Saturday, June 13, 2020, 5:30-6:30 pm (Students of the Year); 8:00-9:00 pm (Man & Woman of the Year)

Where: Join via Zoom; Pre-Registration required to receive link:

Students of the Year: https://SOYSAV2020.givesmart.com 

Man & Woman of the Year: https://MWOYSAV2020.givesmart.com 

Why: Raise awareness and funds for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and its efforts to fulfill its mission of finding a cure for blood cancer and improving the lives of patients and their families.

Visuals: 

• Boy and Girl of the Year, Seth (16) and Lily (13) - local blood cancer survivors, serve as an inspiration to our candidates 

• Fourteen area professionals and eighteen student teams, comprised of 42 students from eleven schools. As a class, they strive to raise over $900,000 in ten weeks.

The 2020 Man & Woman of the Year candidates: 

• Dylan Anderson, Merrill Lynch

• Tammy Aubuchon, Hire Dynamics

• Emily Bailey, Preciball USA

• Cathleen Barela, Keller Williams Realty

• Christie Wallace Bergen, Austin Hill Realty

• Sgt. Tripp Davis, Pooler Police Department

• Jeff Maine, Proudly

• Alex Salzillo, Jamie Casino Injury Attorneys

• Phillip Scroggin, Sr., Hargray Fiber

• Tamara Smalls, Livingood’s Bedding & Appliances

• Rob Sparks, First Citizens Bank

• Amanda Swindle, Sam Sharpe State Farm

• Lydia Rayner-Syed, New York Life

2020 All-Star Alumni candidate – competing on a National Level with other Alumni

• Kelley Sullivan, New American Lending

2020 Students of the Year candidates:

• Alex’s Avengers – Alex Woods, Islands High School

• Alivea’s Angels – Annalyse Chamberlin, James Shin, Jaslyn Price, Richmond Hill High School

• Cadets Against Cancer – Charlie Estabrook, Sam Bianco, Benedictine Military School

• Cats for a Cure – Ava Coffey, Lilli Apt, Savannah Arts Academy & St. Andrew’s School

• Cancer Cops – Caroline Cunningham, Chloe Brown, Dudley Johnson, Calvary Day School & St. Vincent’s Academy

• Cancer Crushers – Caroline Ambos, E.B. Threlkeld, Mattie Lynch, St. Vincent’s Academy

• Cancer Fighting Cavs – Adam Brunn, Callie Bland, Calvary Day School

• Cousins Crushing Cancer – Ansley Faircloth, Katie Ellenwood, Calvary Day School

• CUREageous Raiders – Beverly Spinks, Madison Best, Savannah Christian Preparatory School

• Cure-A-Roos – Caroline Bernstein, Lauren Lee, Savannah Country Day School

• Dolphins Busting Leukemia – Avery Brothers, Sadie Callen, Hilton Head Preparatory School

• Just Beat It – A.J. Hickey, Reese Groover, Sam Clark, St. Vincent’s Academy, Benedictine Military School

• Kingsmen – Tishaun Tucker, Woodville-Tompkins Technical & Career High School

• Pirates of the CURE-ibbean, Lane McCullough, Mya Felser, William Lovett, Savannah Country Day School

• SuperCUREoes – Catherine Goodman, Kendall Yarber, Ross Goodman, Savannah Country Day School

• Tumorators – Ellie Neil, Lily Barton, Peyton Lewis, Savannah Country Day School

• 20/20 Vision for a Cure – Anna Spitalnick, Sarah Koegler, Sydney Minton, St. Andrew’s School

• LLSaints – Anna Sergi, McAlister Smith, St. Vincent’s Academy

The candidates were selected by nominating committees co-chaired by Ashley Barnwell of Savannah Country Day School, Charles Anderson of Landsouth Design and Zach Thomas of Bergen, Bergen & Thomas.