GREENWOOD VILLAGE RESIDENT NAMED AS 2008 WOMAN OF THE YEAR BY THE LEUKEMIA & LYMPHOMA SOCIETY
Jill DiPasquale Raises More Than $41,000 During Eight-Week Fundraising Campaign
The Rocky Mountain Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) honored Greenwood Village resident Jill DiPasquale with the distinguished title of 2008 Woman of the Year during the Man & Woman of the Year Grand Finale Election Night held in Denver on May 31, 2008. In just eight-weeks, DiPasquale raised a record amount of more than $41,000 for blood cancer research.
DiPasquale was one of six candidates who participated in the fundraising campaign, which brought in an unprecedented amount of nearly $206,000 for LLS. Englewood resident Dick Saunders raised nearly $90,000 and was named as the 2008 Man of the Year. Both DiPasquale and Saunders contributed more than any other candidate in past years.
DiPasquale decided to become involved in the campaign in honor and support of a friend who is fighting leukemia. She raised her funds with a letter and email campaign, soliciting auction items for the campaign finale gala, and by hosting a party to garner donations.
"Jill DiPasquale, along with the other five six candidates, raised an unprecedented amount of money during this year's campaign," said Rebecca Russell, executive director for the Rocky Mountain Chapter of LLS. "Jill's passion, commitment and support produced significant funds for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's research, patient services and education programs that assist thousands of Coloradoans who are diagnosed with blood cancer each year."
All six candidates ran in honor of the Boy & Girl of the Year, Robert Jackson of Littleton and Dori O'Malley of Centennial, who are both blood cancer survivors.
The other candidates included Don Bennett of Colorado Springs, Bridget Richards of Evergreen and Denver residents Elizabeth Byrnes Crony and Rick Janson. DiPasquale and Saunders will go on to compete for the national title of Man & Woman of the Year for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
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.
For more information about the Man & Woman of the Year campaign and the Rocky Mountain Chapter of LLS, contact Kelly Posthuma at (303) 984-2110.
About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) 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.