Blood Cancer United®, formerly The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, has officially kicked off its annual philanthropic competition, Visionaries of the Year, in Savannah. This 10-week campaign supports Blood Cancer United’s mission to cure blood cancer and improve the quality of life of all
patients and their families. The campaign began on March 19 th with a kickoff celebration at the Thompson Hotel and will conclude on May 30 with a black-tie event at the Hyatt Regency Savannah.
 
Blood Cancer United brings together a community of people, from patients to fundraisers, who believe that all blood cancer patients deserve longer, fuller lives. Through Visionaries of the Year, the organization has invested more than $2 billion in cutting-edge research worldwide, supporting nearly every critical advancement in blood cancer treatment and the most promising cancer research today.

Chaired by local attorney and previous participant Zachary Thomas, 2026 candidates include Gabby Basnett, Co-owner of Olde Towne Golf Cars; Patrick Blume, Vice President of Queensborough Bank; Jarad Brown, Senior Mortgage Loan Officer at New American Funding; Matt Campbell, Founder of Georgia Matters; Sara Cox, Chef and Founder of Sarandipity Fare; David Farrant, Founder of TYLT; Sam Mikell, Attorney at Griffin Durham, Tanner Clarkson LLC; and Brandon Wright, Project Manager at Choate Construction.

“Visionaries of the Year is not just a campaign—it is a driving force behind some of the most critical advancements in blood cancer research and patient support today,” said Katherine Welch, Campaign Development Director. “The funds raised through this effort directly accelerate life-saving therapies and expand access to care for patients nationwide. Savannah’s continued leadership in this work is both powerful and essential as we push toward a future without blood cancers.”
 
This year’s candidates will work towards a collective fundraising goal of $600,000. Together, they reflect the strength of the Savannah community and the impact that can be made when individuals come together in support of a shared mission. The 2026 Savannah campaign proudly honors Revel Crosby, a six-year-old leukemia survivor whose story represents the hope and resilience that drive this work forward. His journey is a powerful reminder of the impact that research, funding, and community support can have on patients and their families.

 “What makes Visionaries of the Year so special in Savannah is the caliber of leaders stepping forward and the energy behind this campaign,” said Hannah Perry, Campaign Development Manager. “These candidates are leveraging their networks, their platforms, and their passion to drive real impact—and the momentum we’re building as a community is incredibly powerful. It’s an honor to lead this work locally and see firsthand how deeply people are showing up for patients and families.”
 
With more than 100 types of blood cancer affecting millions worldwide, the need to support Blood Cancer United’s mission remains urgent. Every three minutes, someone is diagnosed with blood cancer, totaling nearly 200,000 new diagnoses each year in the United States.
 
To learn more about Visionaries of the Year in Savannah, visit https://llsvisionaries.org/visionaries-year-savannah-0.