About LLS and The Man & Woman of the YEar Campaign...
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is funding over 9 research grants at the University of Michigan totaling $6.5 million this year. Overall, LLS is funding $76.2 million nationally in grants in 2016, creating breakthrough advancements such as targeted therapies that zero in on cancer cells and kill them while leaving healthy cells intact and immunotherapies that use a patient’s own immune system to kill cancer. Treatments are saving the lives of patients every day who are diagnosed with blood cancers like chronic myeloid leukemia and acute lymphoblastic leukemia. And currently, LLS is supporting research that’s taking aim against other cancers, as well as the repurposing of drugs first intended for other diseases.
Each year The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) launches its Man & Woman of the Year fundraising campaign. I am honored to have been one of the 7 local candidates that were a part of this year’s fundraising efforts.
A Look Back at Team Andrea's Fundraising Campaign...
March 30 - kickoff!
All of the fundraising candidates were officially announced. We were able to meet this year's Boy and Girl of the Year, Blake & Aleison. Both Blake & Aleison are young heroes that beat blood cancer!
Team Andrea & friends with the Boy & Girl of the Year, Blake & Aleison.
April 1 - Social Media "April Fools' Day'" fundraiser
We encouraged all those that fell for my tattoo prank to make a contribution to LLS. Thank you to Edwin and Royal Oak Tattoo for helping me fool everyone with such a real-looking fake Ironman logo tattoo!
Fooled ya!
April 28 - Shop for a Cause @ Intermix
Team Andrea's Esti Pop coordinated a special shop event with Intermix at The Somerset Collection. Exclusive designer items were brought into the store in addition to regular merchandise, champagne & truffles were served & 10% of purchases during the event went to LLS. Thank you Esti Pop and everyone at Intermix!
Photos from the Shop for a Cause Event @ Intermix.
MAY 5 - the MIDPOINT CELEBRATION @ FLEMINGS IN BIRMINGHAM
LLS hosted this midpoint event for candidates and their supporters at Flemings. LLS funded, U of M Researcher, Sami Malik was there to talk about the type of research our fundraising dollars help.
May 8 - SpinNING for a Cause @ Pure Ryde
Why not fundraise while getting a workout? One of my favorite spin instructors & member of Team Andrea, Aurora Resnick, offered up her instructing skills for a charity class @ Pure Ryde in Beverly Hills followed by an afterglow. The 45 min class was packed! Thank you to Aurora & everyone at Pure Ryde for hosting such an amazing event.
Photos from the Spinning for a Cause Fundraiser @ Pure Ryde.
May 21 - 12 Hour Treadmill Challenge
The 12 Hour Treadmill Challenge was held at lululemon athletica in downtown Birmingham. Two Precor Treadmills (Courtesy of American Home Fitness) were brought in and set up near the window displays. In an effort to raise donations from passerby & shoppers, I ran from 8am until 8pm on one treadmill (I took 2 quick bathroom breaks!) while others took turns running on the treadmill next to me. In total I completed 58+ miles on the treadmill. The RunSocial treadmill app was available for demo. Thank you RunSocial, American Home Fitness and Stephanie Bonk & her team at lululemon athletica.
12 Hours on a Treadmill for LLS!
May 30 - Red White & Brew Group Run Fundraiser
Friends gathered for a Memorial Day informal group run at my home followed by BBQ & Beer.
June 5 - Doggie Coffee Social Fundraiser
We hosted a social gathering for dog owners and their dogs outside of downtown Royal Oak's popular The Office Coffee Shop. Dogs attending the event were served a Puppuccino in an event cup (water with whipped cream on top), a goodie bag with doggie treats and a voucher for a bath, nail trim & ear cleaning at Bingo Institute of Grooming. Thank you to everyone at The Office Coffee Shop & Bingo Institute of Grooming!
Who wants a Puppiccino?
June 11 - Grand Finale / Silent Auction
The Grand Finale Celebration was held at Andiamo Banquet Center and featured several inspirational moments including the presentation by guest speaker Alicia Buisst. This was the last opportunity to obtain donations for our fundraising campaign. All of the winning bids from the silent auction went to LLS & my team did an outstanding job obtaining some of the auction's HOTTEST items! Items included a Shinola watch, lululemon VIP shopping/yoga experience, Alex & Ani Bracelets from Tapper's and gift certificates to Tre Monti Ristorante, Bistro 82 & La Strada Dolci e Caffé. Together the grand total raised throughout the fundraising campaign by the seven Candidates was $522,564!
Photos from the Grand Finale Celebration.
THANK YOU!
Thank you to the campaign coordinator, Tami Duquette from LLS, & Vera Grigorian, the campaign's Executive Chair.
Thank you to my team members who provided support throughout the campaign: The Real Estate One Family of Companies, The Real Estate One Charitable Foundation, Dan Elsea, Stuart Elsea, Angelo LaPiana, Esti Pop, Julie Kenar, Aurora Resnick, Stuart Stebleton, Gaal Karp, Tim Dolan, Jon Halverson, Maria Carollo, Stephanie Bonk & Sunshine Wilhite.
Thank you to all of the other candidates who were a part of this campaign.
Thank you to everyone who donated to my campaign in support of Leukemia & Lymphoma Society - either online or at one of the fundraisers.
Together WE are making a difference!