WEST PALM BEACH, FL – May 25, 2018 – Although all 19 candidates who joined in the fight against blood cancer could be named “most stellar” for their efforts, only one man and one woman emerged victorious in this year’s Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Man & Woman of the Year campaign.
On May 19, Grant Portier of West Palm Beach, and Laura Neandross of Jupiter and Neandross Estate Homes, were recognized for raising the most funds for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Palm Beach Area Chapter’s mission. The campaign raised $853,850, in total forblood cancer research, patient services, education and advocacy. In being named Man & Woman of the Year for 2018, Portier and Neandross joined illustrious ranks and earned heartfelt gratitude from the nonprofit organization. They will go on to compete for national Man & Woman of the Year honors.
“Every year, we are lucky to have an amazing field of candidates to help strengthen our cause, and this year was no different,” said Pamela Payne, executive director, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Palm Beach Chapter. “Grant and Laura represent an amazing group of ambassadors, who rallied their communities to literally save lives and support families battling blood cancer. We congratulate them all for their hard work and dedication.”
This year’s fundraising was in honor of two patient heroes, the 2018 Boy & Girl of the Year, 8-year-old Zachariah, a survivor of Burkitt’s lymphoma, and 16-year-old Brianna, a survivor of Acute Myeloid Leukemia. The candidates, their families and friends celebrated the campaign’s finale at the Hilton, West Palm Beach with dinner, dancing and a silent and live auction.
Back Row: Eduard Balbis, Eric Caserta, Jason DelGrosso, Stacy Holcroft, Laura Neandross, Yaruska Llontop, Katie Bullard, Carl Gentile, Bruno Rodriguez. Front Row: Joseph Schulz, Grant Portier, Monique McCall, EC Sprechman, Jen Nolin, Will Fuchs, Chris Knapp, Zachariah Katz
The 2018 candidates included:
Eduardo Balbis, Jupiter - Accenture
Katie Bullard, West Palm Beach - Barry University
Eric Caserta, Palm Beach Gardens - Cheney Brothers, Inc.
Jason DelGrosso, Boynton Beach - Hilton Garden Inn/Kolter Hospitality
Marcio Dias, West Palm Beach - Sterling Real Estate Group
Will Fuchs, Boca Raton - XPE Sports
Carl Gentile, Jupiter - Gentile & Associates, EXP Realty
Stacy Holcroft, Jupiter - Publix
Chris Knapp, Palm Beach Gardens - Merrill Lynch
Yaruska Llontop, Lake Park - Kolter
Monique McCall, West Palm Beach - Monique McCall Productions, Inc.
Jen Nolin, Palm Beach Shores
Erin Omiatek, Delray Beach - Sotheby’s International Realty
Joseph Schulz, Jupiter - Law Offices of Berman & Berman
Eric Sprechman, West Palm Beach - Cole, Scott & Kissane, P.A.
Sahira Sued, Wellington - Sahira Jewelry Design
Christopher Tolbert, Boca Raton - Essex Mortgage
Honorary Candidate Team, Florida Cancer Specialists
Campaign co-chairmen were once again Derek Brock, Jessica Johnson and Troy Rice. Returning sponsors for the 2018 campaign include: Florida Cancer Specialists, WPBF 25 News, and Gulfstream Media Group. All proceeds from the Man & Woman of the Year Grand Finale will benefit LLS’s mission to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. While this event will raise funds for lifesaving blood cancer research, it will also help support local patients and their families by providing critically-needed financial aid.
About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society ® (LLS) is the world's largest voluntary health agency dedicated to blood cancer. The LLS mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research around the world, provides free information and support services, and is the voice for all blood cancer patients seeking access to quality, affordable, coordinated care.
Founded in 1949 and headquartered in Rye Brook, NY, LLS has chapters throughout the United States and Canada. Patients should contact the Information Resource Center at (800) 955-4572, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET. 
