Leads effort to raise over $275,000 to fight leukemia
NEW EGYPT — The New Jersey Chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) has announced a local resident has been named the 2013 man of the year.
According to an organization press release, Team Justinsanity, of New Egypt, which was led by resident Andy Pritikin, helped raise over $275,000 during the 2013 Man & Woman of the Year campaign to benefit the society.
During the ten-week fundraising campaign, which began on April 4, the candidates were judged on their success in raising money to help LLS fund research to find cures, better therapies and provide support to blood cancer patients and their families.
Every dollar raised counted as one “vote.” Andy Pritikin, owner/ operator of Liberty Lake Day camp in Mansfield Township, one of the largest children’s summer day camps in the country, was the male candidate with the most “votes,” and was awarded the title of 2013 Man of the Year at the Grand Finale Gala on June 15.
Mr. Pritikin is the incoming president of the American Camp Association, NY/NJ, as well as the leader of the New Jersey Camp group.
”LLS congratulates all of the candidates in the 2013 Man & Woman of the Year campaign. Each of them used their passion and determination to raise funds that give thousands of people battling blood cancers the chance to live better, longer lives and they are all champions,” said Stacey Weathers, executive director of the New Jersey Chapter.
”This is a campaign that celebrates not only the individual accomplishments, but also the collective success of all these amazing candidates.”
Ashley Brennan, LLS Director of Special Events, shared similar sentiments.”I speak for this campaign not only as a staff person, but one with a family member who is a blood cancer survivor,” Ms. Brennan said. “Year after year I am consistently amazed by the tireless efforts of our candidates and this year has proven no different. With our smallest pool of candidates to date, these folks showed no signs of slowing in the face of tough economic reports and their dedication toward raising money for lifesaving cancer research never diminished.”
While the winners have been announced, the mission is never done. Websites are still live if anyone would like to make a contribution toward Mr. Pritikin’s efforts.
All donations will directly fund LLS’s mission to cure blood cancers and improve the quality of life for patients and their families. To make a tax-deductible donation, visit www.mwoy.org/nj and visit Mr. Pritikin’s page.
For more information on the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, please visit www.lls.org.