MVTRAC president Luke Smith recently was named the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's 2015 Man of the Year. Collectively, Smith along with the other candidates from the Illinois chapter raised more than $600,000 to help cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.

The 10-week campaign held in more than 80 cities across the nation required candidates to raise donations through selling tickets to LLS events, hosting private fundraisers and procuring items for the silent and live auctions during the Grand Finale Gala.

“Regardless of winning, it was an immense privilege to be nominated as a candidate and represent a foundation that is essential towards the eventual cure of blood related diseases,” Smith said.

“All of the candidates for the event are tremendous individuals and it is an honor to have competed alongside them towards a great cause," he added.

Over the years, officials highlighted contributions toward LLS events have been responsible for blood cancer advancements that have doubled, tripled, and in some cases quadrupled the survival rate for certain blood cancers.

Furthermore, many LLS supported therapies not only help blood cancer patients, but are also now used to treat patients with rare forms of stomach and skin cancers and are in clinical trials for patients with lung, brain, breast, pancreatic and prostate cancers. LLS-funded drugs, targeted therapies and immunotherapies are now saving thousands of lives every day and are only possible through the generous donations derived from events such as MWOY.

“I want to express a sincere and heartfelt thank you to everyone for the endless support, contributions and encouragement throughout the campaign,” Smith said.

“Only through the backing of family, friends and colleagues does anyone have a chance at achieving tremendous results,” he continued. “The fact that we’re close to the cure for blood diseases is a true testament to what you have all committed, and for that, I am grateful. On behalf of blood cancer patients everywhere, thank you for your support.”

For more information about LLS, or to continue supporting LLS research and cures, visit www.lls.org.