The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Central California Chapter announced this month their Man and Woman of the Year after raising just short of $1 million in 10 weeks. 

The LLS runs a nation-wide fundraiser competition annually which includes 60 cities. At the end of the fundraiser, a Man and Woman of the Year are named, both locally and nationally.

The Fresno cohort included eight teams competing for the designation, as well as Dynamic Duo of the Year. At the end of the campaign, the Fresno teams had raised $991,000.

Due to the pandemic and out of caution, LLS held the Man and Woman of the Year events, including the awards, virtually this year, said Kristen Droogh, campaign development manager, Man and Woman of the Year in the Central Valley.

“LLS is so grateful for the time and dedication that these volunteers put into this campaign,” Droogh said. “In a virtual setting and a time unlike any other, they still said yes to raising life saving funds for cancer patients.”

Leading the fundraising was Woman of the Year Kerry Barclay, owner of KB Ventures at 500 Club Casino, who raised $270,000. Her runner up, Kimberly Bedrosian of National Raisin Company, raised second most with $250,000. Together they raised more than 52% of the year’s total.

Among the men, Chase Thomas of Ultra Gro won Man of the Year with $96,000 and was followed by Matthew Van Hagen, fire captain for Merced City Fire Department, with $90,000.

As the Dynamic Duo of the Year, Chris Williams of JC & Associates, Inc. and Lyn Faunt Le Roy of DerManouel Insurance Group raised $150,000.

Money raised for LLS goes towards research, education, support, policy and advocacy.