'Man of the Year' nominee seeks to raise funds for Leukemia ...

Sacramento?s official kickoff for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society?s ?Man & Woman of The Year,? took place on March 1 at Niello Maserati.

DELBERT STAPP is running for ?Leukemia & Lymphoma Society?s 2012 Man of the Year.? By doing so, Stapp and his all-volunteer team hope to raise $50,000 to fund research and aid those who suffer from blood cancers. / Photo courtesy, Team Delbert

?Man of the Year? is a ten-week competition to raise money to fund research and provide patient assistance in the fight against leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma and other blood cancers. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society has invested more than $814 million in research.

Meet ?Team Delbert?

?Man of the Year? nominee and Hollywood Park resident Delbert Stapp said he feels honored to be nominated and his goal is to raise $50,000.

Planning for ?Man of the Year? began in September. There is a lot of organizing, gathering ideas and asking folks to volunteer that must take place for the event to run smoothly. Cook realtor Wayne Novoa said they are utilizing all resources, professional, business organizations, family and friends.

Stapp has a team of staff, volunteers and consultants helping him and they are known as Team Delbert. Gloria Torres, a 15-year leukemia survivor is part of the team.

?She is a testament, a beacon of light and hope to those afflicted, that you can survive,? Stapp said.

Gloria Torres, director for Buena Vista Child Development was diagnosed with leukemia in 1999 and is now in remission.

?When I met Delbert I could see how much passion he had for raising money for LSS,? Torres said. ?It is so incredible, if it wasn?t for people like Delbert raising money for research, I would not be here today.?

Research brings new medications

Torres said when she could not locate a bone marrow donor; she was given a new medication that had just been approved. It worked for five years, then it stopped working, but thanks to research, there was another new medication for her to try and it worked. She feels confident that folks like Stapp will continue to support LSS.

Stapp?s website, www.delbertstapp.com explains how the ?Man & Woman of the Year? competition began in 1990 at the Northern California Chapter. The first event was held in remembrance of John Spencer, a valued Hastings Department Store employee who died of leukemia at the age of 39. The number of chapters keeps growing and in 2011 candidates collectively raised more than $14.6 million for blood cancer research and patient services.

Creative minds, volunteers welcome

Novoa said they are always looking for new volunteers and folks who have ideas on fundraising or helping in other ways. There are many scheduled events coming up where they could use help, such as a large yard sale event taking place on March 17.

Novoa met Stapp while doing volunteer work for the annual charity golf tournament Cook Realty holds every year to benefit local programs.

?Together we have been successful,? Novoa said. ?We hope to continue that success.

Life-changing

Stapp was approached last year to run for ?Man of the Year? and knew his decision to help would forever change his life.

Stapp remembers meeting Jackson Grant, a five-year old leukemia survivor and ?Boy of the Year? for 2011. Knowing that 15 or 20 years ago this energetic young boy?s condition would have been much more bleak, Stapp was deeply touched.

?My motivation is simple,? Stapp said. ?I feel there are a lot of people in this world who, through no circumstance of their own, are a lot less fortunate than most of us and they need our help.?

The need is real

Stapp said the need for help is critical. Recent advances in technology, treatment and medicine create a need for continued funding. In the last 10 to 15 years, the survival rate has changed from a five percent survival rate to almost a 50 percent survival rate. Staff chose this organization because it is professional and manages its money well, spending most of it on research and the patients.

Safety net

LLS gifts up to $10,000 to patients who need financial assistance.

Novoa said the various programs in place through LLS are for all people. He said some folks are apprehensive about seeking help, they fear deportation or having to fill out extensive paperwork. He stressed that is not the case. It is a simple process and the goal is to help people with their needs right away. There is a safety net in place providing valuable priceless programs to begin the healing process.

?There are support groups, mentors, displacement programs and referrals for medical detection,? Novoa said. ?The money goes right where it needs to immediately.?

The Grand Finale Celebration will take place at the Sheraton Grand Hotel at 2200 Irvin Way, Sacramento, on May 12. For those interested in donating time or money there is a link on the website for donations and a calendar of upcoming events.

Source: http://www.valcomnews.com/?p=6811

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