#USA #Washington, D.C. #Blood Cancer #Leukemia Society #Visionaries of the Year

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Announces National Winners of 'Visionaries of the Year' Campaign

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) has wrapped up its 2025 Visionaries of the Year campaign, an initiative aimed at raising funds and awareness to support blood cancer patients across the United States. The campaign culminated with the announcement of Lee-Lee Ellis from Washington, D.C. as the National Visionary of the Year, while Will Sabayrac from Palm Beach, Florida was honored as the Runner-Up.

For the past 36 years, the Visionaries of the Year program has rallied passionate leaders nationwide to participate in a ten-week fundraising challenge. Candidates form dedicated teams and execute personal campaigns centered around LLS's three mission pillars: research, advocacy, and patient support. This year, Ellis stood out by raising an impressive $466,856, showcasing her extraordinary leadership and commitment to the cause.

Ellis, a professional in health policy and a long-standing advocate for LLS, did not just focus on securing funds; she also aimed to create a lasting legacy of support. “This campaign showed me how powerful we can be when we come together for something bigger than ourselves. Every dollar, every conversation, every story shared—it all brings us closer to a world without blood cancer,” she expressed after her victory.

Sabayrac's fundraising efforts totaled $406,056, attributed to his previous experiences participating in the campaign as a team member. He brought a strategic and heartfelt approach to his fundraising events, ranging from golf tournaments to clay shooting, which embodied the essence of giving with purpose.

In addition to the top honors, LLS recognized returning campaign alumni through the “All Star” categories. This year’s All Star, Dr. George Yaghmour from the University of Southern California, raised $255,826 by focusing on equitable access to care and advancing research initiatives. Following close behind was Tim McBride from Charlotte, North Carolina, who raised $226,832 in memory of his family members lost to cancer.

Sarina Moss from Palm Beach, Florida was awarded the National Team Member of the Year for her remarkable contribution of $151,000 to the campaign.