This year’s Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Visionaries of the Year Gala on June 23 saw some fierce philanthropic competition.
Over 10 weeks before the gala, 12 Visionaries got to work raising funds to go towards the fight against blood cancer, with the one who raised the most money becoming Visionary of the Year.
The Visionaries included Arthur (“Bubba”) Boisfontaine, Conway Bellone, Dave Jordan, David Bernard, Eugenie Duvic Suggs, Dr. Laura Finn, Jay Batt, Jolie Bernard, Telley Madina, Tim Finn, Tracey Moore and Wil Frank.
The winner was announced at the gala at The Higgins Hotel and Tracey Moore was named Visionary of the Year, raising more than $70,000 in the memory of a friend who lost his battle to cancer. The runner-up was Tim Finn. Recognition was also given to David Bernard, research; Eugenie Duvic Suggs, patient education; and Jolie Bernard, advocacy. The total raised by all was $301,000.
There is also an honored hero each year who is a local survivor of blood cancer. This year’s honoree was Abron Frye, who is 7 years old and had T- Cell Acute Leukemia ALL. He attended the gala with his family.
Additional funds were raised via a silent auction and a live auction helmed by Chuck Mutz of Black Tie Auctions. There were six live auction items and the highest bid was for the Heirloom Luxury Stay of up to $4,000 at one of the more than 300 Heirloom properties in cities around the country.
Event co-chairs were Pam Georges and Michael Harold.
Fun Fact: Nationally, the LLS has invested more than $1.6 billion in research since it was founded in 1949.
Abiram Frye, Abrian Frye, Misty Frye, Abron Frye, Abria Frye
Michael Harold, Pam Georges
Dotty Reese, Hon. Kern Reese
Michelle Courseault, Tracey Moore
Wendy Coote, Philip Coote
