North Wales Resident is Named LLS's Woman of the year

Philadelphia, PA (June 19, 2017) –A North Wales woman and a Philadelphia man have been named the winners of this year’s Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Man & Woman of the Year fundraising competition.

The two winners are Matt McNally of Philadelphia and Denise Bradley of North Whales, who raised $266,000 and $152,269 respectively to support LLS’s mission to find cures for blood cancers and ensure that patients have access to lifesaving treatments.

During a spirited ten-week fundraising period beginning with a kickoff celebration, candidates across Greater Philadelphia 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.

McNally is President of Digitas Health North America and Chief Media Officer of Publicis Health, the largest healthcare agency network in the world. He has worked across many therapeutic categories, including cardiovascular, diabetes, allergy, neurology, HIV, and immunology. However, he has a connection to and passion for oncology. When his mom was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, McNally moved from the marketing side of oncology to being a caregiver himself.

“Even though I thought I was the one taking care of my mother during her treatment, she was concerned for others, she took care of me, worried about me, and was always my biggest supporter,” said McNally. “It’s been nine years that my mother passed way. So for her, and every other person that blood cancer impacts, I was proud to participate in LLS’s Man & Woman of the Year campaign.”

McNally lives in Center City Philadelphia with his husband, Ralph Bassett, and their three French Bulldogs, Lewes, Hewey, and Buoy.

Bradley is Senior Vice President of Corporate Reputation at Teva Pharmaceuticals, where her team is responsible for the global corporate reputation of the company. She takes particular pride in working for a socially-responsible company committed to significant contributions to global healthcare systems and improving patients’ access to medicine.

“My journey with LLS began when my close friend, Kristen, was diagnosed with leukemia. It was her patient experience that introduced me to the LLS mission,” said Bradley. “I know the dollars being raised by LLS are playing a critical role in advancing therapies for blood cancer patients.”

Bradley currently serves on the LLS Eastern PA Chapter’s Board of Trustees. In her spare time, Bradley enjoys traveling and spending time with her nieces and nephew.

All 12-candidates collectively raised a record-breaking $816,200 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 Man & Woman of the Year 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.”

If you know an extraordinary person who should be nominated for the 2018 Man & Woman of the Year campaign, 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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