DENVER WOMAN RUNNING FOR 2008 WOMAN OF THE YEAR

Elizabeth Byrnes Crony Campaigning to Raise Money for the Rocky Mountain Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

Denver resident Elizabeth Byrnes Crony is one of six local candidates competing in the Rocky Mountain Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) annual "Man & Woman of the Year" fundraising campaign.The individual man and woman who raise the most funds during the eight-week campaign will be awarded the title of Man & Woman of the Year.

"I decided to become a candidate for very personal reasons," Crony said. "Both my mother and dear friend are battling different forms of cancers. I have chosen to turn my anger and frustration with the disease into something positive by reaching out to the community for support."

Over the next several weeks, Crony hopes to raise as much money and awareness as possible by sending out emails to family, friends and colleagues with her message.

"Elizabeth is a true hero and inspiration," said Rebecca Russell, executive director for the Rocky Mountain Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. "She is taking action to make a difference in honor of those close to her who are struggling with cancer, as well the thousands of Coloradoans who are diagnosed with blood cancer each year."

Funds raised through the campaign are invested by LLS in leading-edge research that investigates the causes of blood cancers and seeks better therapies. The funds are also used to provide patients, their families and friends with blood cancer information and services to help them cope throughout their journey.

The Man & Woman of the Year will be named at the Grand Finale Election Night, which will be held on Saturday, May 31, 2008, at the Denver Marriott City Center. Local winners will go on to compete nationally.

To support Crony's efforts and learn more about the other Man & Woman of the Year candidates, visit http://www.manwomanoftheyear.org/rm, scroll to the bottom of the page and click on "2008 Meet the Candidates."

For more information about the Man & Woman of the Year campaign and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, contact Kelly Posthuma at (303) 984-2110.

About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is the world's largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research, education and patient services. The LLS mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Since its founding in 1949, LLS has invested more than $550.8 million for research specifically targeting blood cancers.

For more information about blood cancer, visit www.LLS.org or call LLS Information Resource Center (IRC), a call center staffed by master's level social workers, nurses and health educators who provide information, support and resources to patients and their families and caregivers. IRC information specialists are available at (800) 955-4572, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET.