Two Orefield Residents on Named LLS's Man & Woman of the Year

A Orefield woman and a Orefield man have been named the winners of this year’s Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Man & Woman of the Year.

The two winners were Luke Jaindl of Orefield, and Rita DiBenedetto also of Orefield. Individual winning totals will be announced this summer after the national titles are awarded to the top fundraisers in the country.

During a spirited ten-week fundraising period beginning with a kickoff celebration, candidates across Lehigh Valley competed in honor of a local boy and girl who are blood cancer survivors to raise the most funds to ensure a world without blood cancers. Candidates and their campaign teams are judged solely on their success in raising money, each dollar counting as one vote. Their totals are then considered for the national title. The national titles will be awarded to the top fundraisers in the country, to be announced this summer.

Jaindl’s philanthropic endeavors in cancer research began with his yearly participation in THON at Penn State University. Watching his mother endure and defeat her cancer gave him the passion and motivation in finding a cure for cancer.

“I have seen the results of not only blood cancer breakthroughs, but breakthroughs in cancer treatments through the research that LLS funds,” said Jaindl. “I am honored to be involved in such a remarkable campaign."

Jaindl is the Vice President of Jaindl Farms/ ATreat Soda. He is also a part of the National Turkey Federation Board of Directors.

DiBenedetto is a fifth grade teacher at St. Thomas More School located in Allentown, PA. She graduated from Penn State University in 2014 with a Bachelor of Art in Corporate Communications, and earned a Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Certificate. DiBenedetto graduated from the Master of Education Program at DeSales University shortly after.

“I might have earned the title of Woman of the year, but as you know, everyone wins when cancer loses,” said DiBenedetto. “The efforts from all of the candidates will help fund the therapies and treatments to save lives, not someday, but today.”

All 17-candidates collectively raised a record breaking $728,202 with the incredible support of their campaign teams and community.

“Congratulations to our winners, and to all of our candidates and campaign team members who participated in this year’s campaign,” said Ellen Rubesin, Executive Director of the LLS Eastern PA Chapter. “They are all passionate and determined individuals, and leaders in their communities. Their efforts really go far in bringing help and hope to patients and their families.”

Major Hyundai served as the Presenting Sponsor. Platinum Sponsor was Rockefeller Group. Gold sponsors included A-Treat and Jaindl. Silver sponsors were AmericaVen, Unison Consulting, and VSAS Medical/Legal Evaluation.

If you know an extraordinary person who should be nominated for the 2018 Man & Woman of the Year campaign, contact the LLS Eastern PA Chapter at 484.245.3190 or visit www.MWOY.org/epa.

About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society ® (LLS) is the world's largest voluntary health agency dedicated to finding cures for 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, provides free information and support services, and is the voice for all blood cancer patients seeking access to quality, affordable, coordinated care.

Founded in 1949 and headquartered in Rye Brook, NY, LLS has chapters throughout the United States and Canada. To learn more, visit www.LLS.org. Patients should contact the Information Resource Center at (800) 955-4572, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET.

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