Portland, Oregon –The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) 14th annual Man & Woman of the Year campaign exceeded all expectations, with 12 first-time candidates and All-Star Blake Sakamoto of the Nu Wavers, who first ran in 2015. Their combined total of $500,000 was announced at Saturday’s Grand Finale gala at the Portland Hilton.

The 2018 Woman of the Year is Kirsten Leonard of Team Be Your Own Hero, who was nominated by Rachael Arnold in honor of her younger brother, lost to a blood cancer at age 9. Kirsten’s team set a new chapter record for first-time candidates in Oregon & SW Washington, and she will attend a special LLS-led research symposium in the fall.

The 2018 Man of the Year is Marlin Bernabe of Club Sport Oregon. Marlin led Team Move That Body to the top by leveraging his fitness acumen through Reps for a Cure, a group workout where attendees garnered pledges of at least 10 cents per rep, chasing 1 million reps.

Kevin Kirkpatrick, financial advisor for MassMutual Oregon and Hodgkin Lymphoma survivor, also raised over $50,000. He was recognized as a Top Fundraiser and named Runner-up Man of the Year. The Top Fundraiser Recognition Award connects the individual with one of LLS’s Research Portfolios. The portfolios include a variety of projects that focus on specific blood cancer research, so candidates may choose one that is meaningful to them.

“This was the campaign of a lifetime,” said Kirsten Leonard in her acceptance speech. “It is not often we are given the chance to save lives and we have changed the future.”

Sophie Hamilton, a blood cancer survivor and daughter of award-winning radio host Sheila Hamilton, was the Master of Ceremonies at Saturday’s sold out black-tie Grand Finale event. Rob Shick of Baird gave a moving keynote presentation, sharing the story of his diagnosis and treatment, emphasizing the critical need to support LLS & fund promising research.

To thunderous applause on the night, a total for the 10 weeks was announced - $493,558! However, in a surprise move, an anonymous donor raised his paddle to round up to $500,000! He later said, “I walked into the event a cynic about funding research, that is was somewhat of a black hole…however, what I learned tonight and especially hearing Rob Shick’s story about Gleevec and Dr Brian Druker [Director of the Knight Cancer Institute and a long-time partner of LLS] changed my mind. Amazing breakthroughs are possible with continued funding, and LLS is leading the way - I want to be a part of it.”

“These candidates are an inspiration, they embody the idea that anyone can make a difference with hard work and dedication,” said Stephanie Carlson, Executive Director of LLS’s Oregon, SW Washington, Idaho and Montana (OSWIM) Chapter. “What the candidates were able to achieve in just 10 weeks is truly amazing and will have a tremendous impact on the lives of blood cancer patients and their families.”

Picture of the Class of 2018, from left to right: Dan Snyder, Tanja Doss, Julie La Pierre Dent, Cynthia Harris, Kirsten Leonard, Marlin Bernabe, Roberto Flores, Roger Devine, Sunny Freeman, Amy Nasset, Kevin Kirkpatrick. Not pictured: Milissa Ormiston.