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PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Contact: Ben Harris, (202) 887-4536, [email protected]
Lisa Iannarino, (703) 399-2905, [email protected]
Be “Inspired” at the 2015 Leukemia Ball, Presented by PhRMA
on Saturday, March 28
Event to Feature Entertainment by Howie Mandel; Honor BB&T, The McLaughlin Family,
Northrop Grumman Executive, James Palmer
March 24, 2015 (Washington, D.C.) – Nearly 2,000 local business leaders will gather in
support of the mission of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) for the 28th annual Leukemia
Ball, presented by PhRMA, on Saturday, March 28, at the Walter E. Washington Convention
Center. The event, with the theme “Inspired,” is projected to raise more than $3.1 million for
innovative, life-saving cancer research and patient programs funded by LLS. This year, comedian
Howie Mandel and singer Michael Cavanaugh bring their talents to one of Washington, D.C.’s
largest non-political black tie galas.
Led by Sr. Co-Chair Dan Waetjen, Group President at BB&T Bank, and Co-Chair Ed Offterdinger,
Executive Managing Partner at Baker Tilly, the Ball’s Executive Committee of more than 60 of the
area’s most talented business leaders has worked diligently to ensure the event is a resounding
success.
“The Leukemia Ball, which is now in its 28th year, has undoubtedly played a significant role in
improving the lives of our patients and their families,” said Beth Gorman, National Capital Area
Chapter Executive Director. “The money raised during this iconic Washington event funds
research that directly benefits those who suffer from blood cancers.”
Special awards at the event will go to BB&T, as a Titan of Business & Philanthropy, the
McLaughlin family, recipients of the 2015 James L. Eichberg Achievement Award, sponsored by
Amgen, and Partners in Hope, the LIUNA Charitable Foundation. LLS will also honor retiring
Corporate Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Northrop Grumman, James F. Palmer,
with the Distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award.
PRESS RELEASE
Guests will have the opportunity to Fund The Fight against blood cancer following an
inspirational mission moment featuring LLS-funded researcher, Dr. Carl June and acute
lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) survivor, Emily Whitehead. Dr. June is at the forefront of
immunotherapy research, with a focus on CAR-T therapy, which uses a patient’s own immune
cells to fight their cancer. This therapy is now in a phase 2 clinical trial, having achieved
remission in 90% and 50% of ALL and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients treated,
respectively. Emily was the first pediatric patient to receive this treatment and continues to be in
remission three years later.
The silent auction, which raised more than $300,000 in 2014, is one of the area’s largest,
featuring a variety of travel packages, including American Airlines air travel to exotic locations.
The event also boasts a Mercedes-Benz raffle featuring two brand-new vehicles donated by local
Mercedes-Benz dealers. Tickets are $100, and only 5,000 are printed.
Limited tickets remain for the 2015 Leukemia Ball. For more information, please visit here:
http://www.leukemiaball.org.
Media interested in covering the event should contact Lisa Iannarino at [email protected] or
Ben Harris at [email protected]. Media availability will begin at 6:00 p.m. at the
Chairman’s Reception and continue through the start of the program.
About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society ® (LLS) is the world’s largest voluntary health agency dedicated to blood cancer.
The LLS mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of
patients and their families. LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research around the world and provides free
information and support services.
Founded in 1949 and headquartered in White Plains, NY, LLS has chapters throughout the United States and Canada.
To learn more, visit www.LLS.org or contact the Information Resource Center at (800) 955-4572, Monday through
Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET. www.lls.org.
About The National Capital Area Chapter
LLS has 58 U.S. chapters, and the National Capital Area Chapter is one of the highest revenue-generating chapters in
the nation. The National Capital Area Chapter serves Washington D.C., the Maryland counties of Prince George and
Montgomery and the Virginia counties of Loudoun, Fairfax, Arlington, Alexandria and Prince William. More than
2,500 patients and families are served by the chapter each year.
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PRESS RELEASE