Cruise Planners Strengthens Relationship with Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Man & Woman of the Year Campaign by Endorsing Norwegian Cruise Line’s Candidate
Cruise Planners are Champions of Hope with great Cruisitude! Beating cancer is in our blood. Helping the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS)’s goal of a world without blood cancer is a cause that is near and dear to our hearts. To date, Cruise Planners, an American Express Travel Representative, has donated more than $1.5 million for the non-profit charity through various fundraising efforts during the past few years, including supporting numerous Man and Woman of the Year campaigns. This year, Cruise Planners endorsed candidate Camille Olivere, senior vice president of sales for Norwegian Cruise Line.
Whether you are a fighter or a supporter to find a cure, being diagnosed with a blood cancer is a difficult experience:
- Blood cancers are the third leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S.
- Approximately every 3 minutes, someone in the U.S. is diagnosed with a blood cancer.
- More than 1.3 million are living with or in remission from leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma.
Now in its 30th year, the Man & Woman of the Year (MWOY) campaign continues raising funds in honor of two courageous patient heroes. The 2019 Fort Lauderdale Boy & Girl of the Year are 13-year-old Jaylen Hyde and 5-year-old Vivienne Salvatoriello. They are both Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL) survivors. This is truly the reason why we do what we do.
The Cruise Planners’ Home Office Team kickstarted the spirited campaign by holding fun fundraising events such as Taco-in-a-Bag Fiesta, PJs and Pancakes Day, Beach Day, hosting an online auction, and getting our Cruise Planners travel advisors involved with a Burger Bash at STAR University.
Cruise Planners’ Home Office Team: Montana Fee, Breanna Gehris, Nikki Hetzel, Michelle Fee, and Monica Vega at the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Man & Woman of the Year Gala
At the MWOY Grand Finale gala at the Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa – a celebration of all the candidates’ efforts as a collective class – surrounded by team members, family and friends, they enjoyed food, cocktails, music and an outstanding silent auction.
Camille was named the prestigious title Woman of the Year, surrounded by many travel and cruise industry friends.
Camille Olivere (at podium in red) accepting the honor and crowning her campaign manager, Sara Blakeslee. Standing by are the 2019 Boy & Girl of the Year, 2018 Woman of the Year winner Michelle Homoky of Celebrity Cruises, and 2019 Man of the Year winner Clayton Idle.
More than half a million dollars was raised by all of the candidates to support LLS research, patient services, advocacy, public and professional education, and community services.
Cruise Planners’ Devona Reynolds-Perez, Caitlin Gardner, Nikki Hetzel, and Monica Vega support the fight against blood cancer at the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Man and Woman of the Year Gala in South Florida.
“At Cruise Planners, we will never stop sharing the message that we can make a difference,” said Vicky Garcia, COO and former Woman of the Year. “We will continue to support and rally our community together to participate in the annual LLS’ Man & Woman of the Year campaign and Light the Night Walk to raise much needed funds for groundbreaking research to advance cancer treatments. Together we can make a resounding impact if we continue to help power the lifesaving goals of LLS.”
Woman of the Year winner Camille Olivere, Boy & Girl of the Year Jaylen Hyde and Vivienne Salvatoriello, and Man of the Year winner Clayton Idle (Photo by: Ginny Fujino, blacktie-southflorida.com)
- Cruise Planners has been actively involved in the LLS since 2012 when COO and co-owner, Vicky Garcia, was first nominated and named Woman of the Year. She now sits on the Board of Trustees of the Southern Florida Chapter.
- In 2014, CEO and founder, Michelle Fee followed in Vicky’s footsteps and broke the previous record with the most funds raised to help LLS to find cures and ensure blood cancer patients have access to treatments.
- In memoriam Beverly Brean, a Home Office Business Development Team member, who passed away in 2016, Cruise Planners campaigned in her memory as a way to celebrate her vivacious spirit, love of life and commitment to helping others.
Look back at this video recapping how our Cruisitude and CP Cares is embraced by the entire company!
