Each year, in communities across the country, dynamic, passionate candidates engage in a spirited competition to earn The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's "Man & Woman of the Year" title by raising funds for blood cancer research. Every dollar counts as one vote, and the titles are awarded to the man and woman with the most votes at the end of ten weeks.

The San Francisco Man & Woman of the Year campaign runs from now until June 9. During this time, participants will use their talents, contacts and creativity to raise funds to help advance LLS's mission. It's interspersed with events and parties which will allow candidates the opportunity to get to know "the competition," and other local business figures, and experience the energy and spirit that give this campaign its special flair.

Meet 2012's candidates for the San Francisco Man & Woman of the Year below—each are goal-oriented and compassionate and their relentless efforts are focused on making life better for hundreds of thousands of patients battling blood cancers: leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Donate and vote for their campaigns at www.mwoy.org/sf

	1. Alex Morrison A long-time wine lover and certified Sommelier, Alex recently transitioned from 20 years in restaurant work to wine sales to be with his growing family. An avid traveler, Alex and his wife, Sharon, find a new adventure abroad every year but will always call San Francisco home. In additional to raising funds for the Man & Woman of the Year Campaign, Alex, along with his wife Sharon, will be sweating it out with Team in Training this summer to prepare for their first ever Triathlon in September!
	2. Brianna Haag In support of LLS, Brianna has completed three seasons with Team in Training on both marathon and triathlon teams. Originally from San Diego, she has called San Francisco home for almost 4 years. She just recently completed her first Ironman triathlon at Ironman Canada 2011, and is the current social chair for the SF Tri Club. Brianna is an active member of the Northern California chapters of both the International Special Events Society (ISES) and Meeting Professionals International (MPI). When she's not checking out all the exciting SF events ticketed via Eventbrite, her other hobbies include traveling, Yelping, tweeting and scooting around the city on her yellow Vespa.
	3. Craig Adams Craig is an active member of the San Francisco Board of Realtors and a Broker Associate with Coldwell Banker in the Marina District. Prior to joining Coldwell Banker Craig operated a family owned property management and leasing firm. In his free time Craig enjoys spending time with family, travel, gourmet food, literature and linguistics.
	4. Christie White In support of LLS, Christie currently volunteers and serves on the Board of Trustees as Secretary and Treasurer. In 2007 Christie was diagnosed with Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Today, Christie lives with a renewed sense of appreciation and celebrates life every day. Outside of her volunteer efforts for LLS, Christie and her family have a small farm in Lake County where she spends weekends indulging in her passion for gardening, cooking, and entertaining friends.
	5. Deacon Carpenter At the age of 16, illness and obesity led Deacon to a fateful meeting with a local Ayurvedic doctor, which created a seismic shift in Deacon's perception of food, health and physical balance. Deacon currently works with patients from every walk of life who have many unique health conditions. He believes an accessible approach to Ayurveda is the key to achieving and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Deacon also teaches a practical approach to Ayurveda at Maharishi University of Management, educated medical professionals at Scripps Integrated Medical Center, San Diego and is the creator of the VedaBar – the first real nutrition bar based on Ayurvedic principles.
	6. Krystelle Jensen Krystelle is well-known in our Community, for helping people during difficult times, and while they are in transition… she's helped many people who are dealing with the loss of loved ones due to cancer, divorce, and those little surprises life brings us sometimes. Krystelle is originally from Sacramento, California, and moved to the Bay Area in 1991. When Krystelle was a young girl, her grandmother died of brain cancer, and her surrogate father also died of cancer. Krystelle now resides in Marin with her daughter, and her Persian Cat, named Roman.
	7. Krista Rochin Krista's dedication to her community, family and friends has always been at the forefront of her life. As a fifth generation Bay Area native, Krista has deep roots in the local community. She currently resides in the heart of San Francisco and on any given day you can find her and her beloved Siberian Husky, Charlie, running through the city streets. She has actively been giving back to her community through hands on volunteer work and hosting charitable events to benefit women and children of the Bay Area.
	8. Marilyn Sargent Marilyn is a published author, oncology nurse specialist, and a leader in her profession with over 35 years of experience. She has served on numerous task forces, as well as hospital and legislative committees, creating and implementing programs to improve and enhance patient care. She taught nursing in the California Community College system and currently has a practice in Palliative Medicine at Good Samaritan Hospital in San Jose, California. Marilyn works hard to promote the art of healing and to be a presence for her patients and a model for nurses of the future.
	9. Nelum Gunewardane Personally involved with each community in which she has resided in, Nelum brings with her a record of commitment, caring and responsible business practices. During her time in each city, Nelum spearheaded numerous community service events, all of which support local causes dear to her heart. She has been with InterContinental Hotels Group for more than 15 years, and currently heads the InterContinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco.
	10. Roger Royse As leader of Team Motion to Dismiss Cancer, Roger has set ambitious goals and planned an aggressive fundraising campaign. During the ten week campaign, the team will be holding parties, races, bike tours, art exhibits and celebrity auctions to raise money for LLS. Roger has been a Bay area resident since 1991 and is the founder of the Royse Law Firm, PC, a business, tax and corporate law firm. Roger is hopeful that LLS funded research will advance medicine and technology and lead to discoveries that increase survival rates and improve the quality of life for cancer patients.
	11. Tim Williamson Tim is an active philanthropist, as well as a charity, fashion, travel and social event photographer in San Francisco. Tim is also an instrument rated pilot, a member of the Jonathan Club of Los Angeles, and is a leading social photographer and travel photojournalist in San Francisco, having been extensively published in various local and national magazines. In addition to his MBA, he earned a BS in Business and Administration from Southern Illinois University.