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Leukemia & Lymphoma Society “Man & Woman of the Year” Gala Raises $316,200

This year's candidates included: Henry Alvarez from Bank of the Cascades, Matt Elmgren from Mercer, Tony McQuade from Kaiser Permanente , Timber Jim Serrill from the Timbers Army, Tam Driscoll, Alison Goldwater from Regence BlueCross BlueSheild of Oregon, Miesha Johnson from LifeWise Health Plan of Oregon, Julie Peterson from Pinnacle Capital Mortgage, Katie Peterson from The Partners Group and Lisa Tracy from United HealthCare.

Portland, June 14th. 600 people gathered at the Oregon Convention Center in support of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Oregon, SW Washington, Idaho, and Montana Chapter. Every year local candidates compete in a spirited 10-week campaign for the title of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Man & Woman of the Year. Organizers say, “Candidates are judged solely on their ability to raise the most money to fund cancer research to bring help, hope, and save lives.”

This year’s candidates included: Henry Alvarez from Bank of the Cascades, Matt Elmgren from Mercer, Tony McQuade from Kaiser Permanente , Timber Jim Serrill from the Timbers Army, Tam Driscoll, Alison Goldwater from Regence BlueCross BlueSheild of Oregon, Miesha Johnson from LifeWise Health Plan of Oregon, Julie Peterson from Pinnacle Capital Mortgage, Katie Peterson from The Partners Group and Lisa Tracy from United HealthCare.

Geoff Roach, candidate Tam Driscoll, Kathryn Willimas and Emilia Branch

Tom Lambert, Kelly Schweiger, Kara Tsuruta-Alvarez and candidate Henry Alvarez

Board Chair Stacey Simpson and Executive Director Sarah Harris

Top fund raisers “Man of the Year”, Matt Elmgren from Mercer and “Woman of the Year”, Julie Peterson from Pinnacle Capitol Mortgage stand aside “Boy and Girl of the Year”, Cyrus Zentzis and Karina Miziolek. The children provide inspiration to the candidates during the campaign.

Breez Phillappay, Ty Phillippay, Steve Cain and Stefani Crocker

Andi Correa, Jocelyn Haugen and Meghan Johnson

Steve Morse and his daughter, Julieann Morse

“Girl of the Year” Karina Miziolek and her family, Irene Miziolek, Konrad Miziolek and Bogdan Miziolek.

Celeste Mock, Kristi Hart, Dawn Miller, James Chance, Lisa Tracey who was a candidate, and Jamie Sewell

Jamie Carlton and candidate “Timber Jim” Serrill

Amy Roloff and Howard H Hedinger

Steve Dunn from KATU was the Master of Ceremonies

Mark Soloos stands next to “Boy of the Year” Cyrus Zentzis, Noah Zentzis and Beth Zentzis

From The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS):

The mission of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.

LLS is the world’s largest voluntary health agency dedicated to blood cancer. LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research around the world and provides free information and support services.

Our Key Priorities will ensure that: The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society helps blood cancer patients live better, longer lives.

Elisa Klein

I’ve been a professional journalist and writer since 1987, (and long-time reporter for KOIN-TV.) As a nationally published reporter, with a Master’s Degree in Journalism, I love to report positive news and information. Journalism has also connected me with another non-profit where I served as a leader; the Northwest’s biggest writer’s organization: The Willamette Writers.